A FOREST village hall has state-of-the-art sound and vision equipment – and it all started when members of the local Women's Institute found it a struggle to hear a speaker.

Chase WI decided that something had to be done because of the poor acoustics at the Old School village hall in Tidenham.

Member Mrs Pauline Civil took on the role of project organiser after her attention was drawn to an article in the WI Magazine about getting grants.

The Big Lottery Awards for All scheme gave a grant of £822 for the purchase of a projector, screen, sound system and accessories.

The equipment will be available for use by all groups that use the hall on Rosemary Lane and was officially handed over to trustees last week.

She said: "We had a very interesting speaker to our meeting but nobody could hear her.

"I asked members of Chase WI if I should try to access funding for a projector, screen and sound system through the Big Lottery Awards for All scheme – thety agreed and handed me the task.

"I had to make a very good and detailed case for the Chase Sight and Sound Project, as I named it."

Mrs Civil said she was greatly helped by Chase WI treasurer Betty Page and president Jill Hanks "who signed on the dotted line each and every time".