MORE than a hundred people gathered to celebrate the opening of Hampshire's newest Girlguiding Centre.

The new building in Ramalley Lane, Chandler's Ford, will give 750 girls a new space for Guiding activities.

Mayor of Eastleigh, Cllr Des Scott joined representatives from the Guides, Brownies and Rainbows at the opening ceremony on Saturday.

In addition to receiving a tour of the building guests at the event enjoyed a performance by the Girlguiding choir along with cakes and drinks.

Kay Mitchell, Girlguiding volunteer at the centre, said: “It was a great celebration of all the hard work done to build the new building. This is something that is going to be there for future generations of young girls and women in Chandler’s Ford.

“The girls like the new hall and the fact that it is just for them. It’s very important to have this centre. It shows the girls that they are an important part of the community."

The previous centre stood on the same site but had to be demolished after it was declared unsafe in 2011.

The £270,000 centre was was built with the aid of donations, fundraising activities and the support of Eastleigh Borough Council and The Veolia Environmental Trust.

“We just want to say a huge thank you to everybody: project team, parents, girls, members of the community. This wouldn't have been possible without such a contribution from the community,” said Kay.

The group still needs £18,000 to complete the garden and the car park. Donations can be made via girlguidingchandlersford.org.uk.