VILLAGERS will be celebrating a £250,000 refurbishment of a historic former school on Saturday.

The Old School in Church Street, Market Lavington has been given a new lease of life.

Parish councillor Bob Gordon said: "The open day from 11am to 3pm will celebrate the refurbishment of this fine community facility situated right in the heart of the village.

"The Old School which is owned by the Parish Council has a capacity of 250 and has been transformed following a major refurbishment which secures the future of the building for many years.

"The building's most prominent feature, the stunning hammer beam roof has been exposed internally by removal of a suspended ceiling."

On Saturday people will be able to find out more about hiring the hall.

The Old School was originally built in 1845 on land provided by Lord Radnor as two separate schools for the education of poor children in the principles of the church.

In 1871 the schools were expanded at the front to provide an infants classroom and expanded again in 1894 to provide a cloakroom. The schools were taken over by Wiltshire County Council in 1905 and closed in 1971. The parish council acquired the building in 2004 for use as a community facility. The building at the back of the Old School which currently houses the village museum has served as both a classroom and the headmasters house.