The new village community centre and GP’s practice in theShropshirevillageofDorringtonhas officially opened.

The state-of-the-art centre replaces the village’s previous facilities which date back to 1906 and had become increasingly outdated and inaccessible.

Included in the new facility is a new GP practice for the village along with a community hall, meeting rooms, kitchen and bar facilities and changing rooms for the neighbouring sports fields.

Funding worth £156,000 has been provided from Advantage West Midlands through the Rural Regeneration Zone and Dorrington is the first new-build centre of its type as part of a £5 million network.

Work began in June last year and was carried out by Powys-based SJ Roberts Construction.

Tom Williams, Chairman of the Centre Committee, said: “It is a very proud moment to see the centre finally opened and it is a testament to the hard work of the committee who have seen this develop from an idea to reality.

“The funders, including the Rural Regeneration Zone and Defra, have also been exceptional in their support for the project.

“I know that generations of villagers in Dorrington will be able to enjoy these facilities, making a real difference to the community.”

Matt Smith, Rural Regeneration Zone Partnerships Manager, said: “This new centre will establish itself as a focal point of service provision to the local community and everybody who has worked tirelessly to make it happen deserves congratulations.

“It is the type of project that is the cornerstone of the RRZ’s drive to develop a strong, diverse and sustainable rural economy and, over the next few years, we will be seeking to fund similar projects to improve access to services in replicate this in similar-sized communities right across the Regeneration Zone.”