A 108,000 facelift to Faringdon's Old Town Hall and War Memorial has revived a focal point for the town.

The 17th century building was officially re-opened yesterday after being largely unused for nearly a decade.

Now, thanks to cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Vale of White Horse District Council and Faringdon Town Council, the building has a new lease of life.

The Faringdon Old Town Hall and War Memorial Trust's chairman, Alan Hickmore, officially re-opened the memorial with Vernon Butt, the Vale district council's chairman.

The old town hall served over the years as a jail, fire station and charity shop.

For the last nine years, it lay unused and fell into disrepair.

Now trustees hope the new-look hall and memorial will provide Faringdon's community with a central meeting place and prove a focal point for tourists.

Mr Hickmore said: "The re-opening is a celebration of the town's most important building."