VOLUNTEERS in a Hampshire town are toasting success after securing a National Lottery boost to a £72,000 community centre makeover scheme.

Hedge End's Drummond Community Association has been awarded a grant of just over £22,000 towards the costly revamp.

The money has given the final green light to the scheme to expand the group's community centre in Drummond Road.

With £30,000 from Eastleigh Borough Council and £12,500 from Hampshire County Council already behind them, the volunteers are looking to provide greater disabled access to the centre and to double its capacity.

A new hall is to be created by knocking through storage areas into the committee room.

The expansion will come as a welcome improvement for locals who already keep the centre in use most hours of the day.

Association secretary and local town councillor Paul Brown, who hopes work will be completed early next spring, said: "I cannot over-stress what the centre means to the community.

"Nearly a third of the population lives here in Grange Park and this is the only community building other than the church.

"To double its capacity is a massive bonus."

The cash windfall has also been welcomed by Eastleigh MP David Chidgey, who said: "Local residents in Hedge End will have a much-improved facility at the Drummond Community Centre thanks to this grant.

"I congratulate the association for all the hard work involved in the application."

The association is always looking for new members. Anyone who can volunteer their help should contact Paul on 01489 783420.