Work has begun to build a second community hall in Kelvedon.

Current high demand for space at the Kelvedon Institute in the High Street means potential hirers are being turned away.

However, a new £232,000 building at the rear of the institute, which will include a small hall with storage, toilets and a coffee point, is expected to fix these problems.

Contractors are now on site and the project is expected to be complete by the end of October, with an official opening scheduled before Christmas.

Jill Hinds, chairman of the hall management committee, said: “It is great that work has now started.

“High demand for the institute led us to plan and make a start on the first major alterations to the building in 100 years which will result in greatly-needed additional facilities."