MICHELDEVER Station has unveiled its £500,000 new village hub after years of fundraising.

The community united on Sunday to celebrate the launch of the Warren Centre, a two-story building for use by clubs, businesses, sports teams and schoolchildren.

Residents explored the new rooms after a party with live music, stalls and a barbecue. Winchester MP Steve Brine was on hand to cut the ribbon.

Parish councillors hope the 410 sq m facility will meet the evolving needs of the village, near Winchester, whose population has doubled in recent years.

The centre, incorporating the 1960s Warren Hall, features showers, changing rooms, a kitchen, disabled access, a community printing service and underfloor heating.

High-speed broadband and wifi connections are planned for the new computer room, with a village shop serving rush-hour commuters also in the pipeline.

Villagers have raised thousands towards the £508,000 revamp alongside major grants from groups including Hampshire County Council and the Veolia Environmental Trust.

Belinda Harvey, chair of trustees, said: "Months of hard work and the generosity of grant-giving bodies has turned our dream of building a new, multi-purpose community centre into reality. We are now able to offer a range of facilities, not just for our local community, but also for the wider community."

Warren Hall, recently redecorated by army volunteers from nearby Worthy Down Barracks, will continue to be used for exhibitions, parish meetings and large events.