HAMPSHIRE TV celebrity Esther Rantzen has opened a new-look village hall with links to Alice in Wonderland and a former Prime Minister.

Dame Esther cut a celebratory cake at Emery Down and Bank Village Hall, which boasts a new kitchen, gas central heating and a fully-restored floor following a £10,000 facelift.

The single-storey facility in Mill Lane has been at the heart of the local community for more than 90 years.

The land for the hall and the building itself were given to the newly-formed Emery Down and Bank Women’s Institute by sisters Charlotte and Mary Chamberlain, whose cousin Neville was Prime Minster between 1937 and 1940.

The sisters, who lived in Bank, hired local builder Joseph Payne to build an arts and crafts centre complete with stage, scullery and grassy outdoor space.

It was opened on July 20 1927 by WI branch president Alice Hargreaves, who lived at Cuffnells House, Lyndhurst. She was the former schoolgirl who inspired Lewis Carroll to write Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in 1865.

Following her marriage she moved to the New Forest and had three sons, two of whom were killed in the First World War and are commemorated on Emery Down War Memorial.

The reopening ceremony was attended by Sebastian Chamberlain, a direct descendent of Mary and Charlotte Chamberlain.

The hall’s link with Mrs Hargreaves was also celebrated.

Peter Power, chairman of trustees, said: “Vanessa St Clair sent a charming letter about what it’s like being the granddaughter of Alice in Wonderland.

“She explained how her grandmother was quite forthright and determined and always got her way.

“She was clearly a powerful character whom she described as not unlike the fictional Alice. She was grateful that another aspect of Alice’s life was now in the spotlight - her pivotal role in helping create our lovely hall.”

Dame Esther has a weekend cottage in the New Forest and gave a talk about life in the area.

Mr Power added: “It’s a pleasure to be part of a team dedicated to maintaining the hall as it was originally planned way back in 1927, when some rather special people had the foresight to create it.”

He thanked everyone who had either helped fund the refurbishment or donated prizes to the raffle, which raised more than £600.

The money will be split between the hall and Dame Esther’s Silver Line charity for the elderly.