A VILLAGE hall has shown its ‘green’ credentials after a major project to boost its energy efficiency.

The £24,000 scheme at Higham Village Hall was instigated by the management committee.

The committee, and users of the hall, had become increasingly concerned about the facilities in the hall, which was very inefficient to heat and light.

The hall has a number of users, including Burnley Amateur Radio Club, Burnley Film Club and Higham Garden Club, and to ensure the sustainability of the venue, the ambitious project was undertaken.

Graham Fitton, treasurer of the village hall committee, said: “It is fantastic to have this major investment in the village hall complete.

“We could not have done this without the help and financial support of the villagers of Higham and The Veolia Environmental Trust.”

Originally a primary school, the hall was acquired by the residents of Higham in 1987.

An energy audit was carried out in 2010 and highlighted improvements that could be made to both reduce the running costs of the building and improve the environment for users.

The work included renewing the lighting, replacing the boiler and some cutting-edge technologies such as air source heat pumps that convert heat from the surrounding environment into tangible warmth within the hall.

The project was financed through village fundraising events, which included the scarecrow competition and the summer fete, as well as through a grant of £18,865 from The Veolia Environmental Trust.

McNabb Laurie, operations manager of The Veolia Environmental Trust, said: “This project has already improved both the sustainability of the build-ing and the appeal to the local residents.”