A VILLAGE is asking the public for help in getting its “heart” back.

Due to a severe leak in the roof and a lack of modern facilities, Treffgarne Village Hall has been out of use for seven years.

But a group of committed locals are raising funds to re-open the one-time social centre of the village.

The hall has been shortlisted for the Lloyds Bank Community Fund 2014, and - with support from a public vote - could be awarded up to £3,000. The size of the grant depends on the number of votes the hall gets.

“We’d really like to get the roof watertight and stop the building from deteriorating further,” said Treffgarne Hall Committee member, Barrie Griffiths.

“Everyone has to travel from Treffgarne for whist drives, children’s play groups, parties and so on. They go to halls in other villages when it could all be happening right here! This hall could be a busy little social centre for people of all ages, from little ones to pensioners.”

During World War II, the hall was used as a school for refugee children. A thriving youth club was held there in the 1980s, and locals still talk about the Millennium Party!

“The hall is the heart of the village,” said Barrie. “We lost our Post Office a few years ago. The church is just about hanging on. We are desperate to bring the hall back in to use. If we got the money, it would give us the momentum to carry on and raise the funds for a complete refurbishment. Please vote for us.”

Voting ends on October 10. There are four ways to vote, and every person can use all four methods. You can vote online or on Twitter via https://lly-cf.com/JPT, by texting VOTE JPT to 61119, or by calling in at any Lloyds Bank branch in Pembrokeshire.