A grant has transformed Wighton Village Hall with solar power.

The Sheringham Shoal Community Fund has helped the North Norfolk village of Wighton replace its ‘recreation hut’ with an eco-friendly hub.

To the cost of £730,000, the new hall is able to host up to 242 people.

Some of the money was provided from a grant from Sheringham Shoal Community Fund, run by Equinor, the company that operates the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm.

READ MORE: New £9.7 million housing project welcomes first residents

The contribution enabled the installation of a 430kWh solar PV panel system in the refurbished building.

Its primary role is to generate electricity for an air source heat pump.

The pump provides underfloor heating and hot water for the hall, alongside charging two electric vehicles in the car park.

Equinor’s Norfolk stakeholder manager, Susan Falch-Lovesey, paid a visit last year to commemorate the successful installation and commissioning of the solar PV system.

Chairman of the management committee, George Brett-Reynolds, said: "As the underfloor heating system is powered by the 36 roof-based solar panels, we are now able to offer a warm, welcoming atmosphere regardless of the time of day for which the hall is booked for an event or activity.

READ MORE: Young people invited to join Taizé pilgrimage

"When developing the plans for the new village hall, the Project Committee undertook considerable research through visits to other community facilities, and efficient and cost-effective heating, along with high quality acoustics, featured highly when the results of those visits were analysed."

By the end of 2023, the Sheringham Shoal Community Fund, administered by the Norfolk Community Foundation, has awarded grants totalling more than £1.2m since its establishment in 2010.

It receives an annual £100,000 donation from the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm.