NEW loos at a village hall near Bedale were opened in spectacular style.

Richmond MP Rishi Sunak pressed a button to trigger a display of pyrotechnics to mark the official opening at Hackforth Village Hall.

The new facilities replaced toilets which dated from when the hall was first built in the 1930s.

Mr Sunak said it was a privilege to perform the “First Flush” opening ceremony.

“The superb new facilities are the result of a lot of hard work by villagers and demonstrate what can be done when people come together for the benefit of their community,” he said

During the visit with his wife, Akshata, Mr Sunak enjoyed a masterclass in dominoes, played table tennis and met many of the hall’s supporters and users.

The £14,000 cost of the new toilets, which included facilities for the disabled, was funded by grants from three charitable trusts, £5,300 from Hambleton District Council and money raised locally.

But Chris McGee, secretary of the village hall, said the work could not have taken place without a great deal of volunteer labour.

“Many villagers helped, particularly with removing the old toilets which wasn’t a very pleasant task,” he said.

The opening of the new toilets is part of a continuing project to update the hall.