VILLAGERS in Cherhill hope their new thatched bus shelter will impress drivers so much they will slow down as they drive along the A4.

Work on the roof of the shelter, which was a village Millennium project, was completed this week. It followed months of fundraising by villagers.

The shelter will eventually have a sundial set in the floor, under which there will be a time capsule, as well as seating, hedging, flowers and a tree on either side.

The whole project, which is expected to be completed in April, will cost around £12,000.

For the time being, villagers are making use of a garden shed as a makeshift shelter.

This week envelopes have been handed out to every villager for items to put in the capsule.

Millennium committee chairman Tina Jeary said: "The shelter looks absolutely wonderful.

The shelter was designed by Cherhill architect Julian Taylor. The village's theatre group donated more than £4,000 from the sale of play tickets towards the cost of building it.