A NEW stairlift, which will give disabled people access to the upper levels of Selwyn Hall, has finally been opened after more than two years of fundraising.

Paralympian Stephanie Millward opened the £24,500 lift at the opening ceremony in the hall on Valens Terrace, Box on Friday, and officially announced that the hall was accessible to all.

"It was wonderful," committee member and trustee Rodney Veazey said. "We are delighted to have the lift after more than 10 years of not having one which now provides disabled access to the top floor.

"The Millennium Room was built around the turn of the century and every since the building was created, we have never had the facilities we should have done. This now gives us more opportunities and we are not looking into getting a hearing loop fitted upstairs so that we can cater for different disabilities."

After deciding to install the platform lift two years ago, the management committee received a number of grants and donation from organisations and individuals including £10,000 grant from Hills Group through the Landfill Trust administered by Community First and a £4,000 grant from Corsham Area Board.

Mr Veazey added: "We were very lucky that our local Paralympian Stephanie Millward agreed to join us and declare the lift officially open. Stephanie is a very good ambassador for her sport and she is happy and cheerful which set a very good tone for the evening."