The hall floor has been sanded and varnished, cavity wall insulation added and out-of-date urinals removed to make way for new baby changing facilities.

The upgrade was thanks to donations from Mytum and Selby, JP Plant Hire and Westfield Carpets, together with £3,700 in grants from North Yorkshire County Council's Rural Transport Fund and the Co-operative Health Fund.

WI member Laura Reilly said: "It's heartening to see how the South Milford community has taken the hall into its heart.

"These renovations mean the hall is now modernised and its carbon footprint reduced, which couldn't have happened without the help of local businesses and community grants. The hall can now be a greater asset to the village than ever."

The work – undertaken by local builder Garry Lee, of Carecraft Builders – will benefit not only a growing number of village WI members, but also mums and tots attending regular playgroups and chat and weigh-in clinics, as well as those attending weekly Tai Chi, Kaebo boxing and children's music sessions.

The next WI meeting takes place today at 7.30pm, and includes wine tasting with independent merchant Nick Chadwick, of Winearray at Boroughbridge. Other events this year include gourmet chocolate tasting, a cocktail-making demonstration and belly dancing. Call 01977 682225 to join or to hire the WI Hall.