Didcot Community Gospel Choir is staging a fundraising concert to support the redevelopment of Harwell Village Hall.

Trustees of the committee raising funds for the hall to be revamped are now closing in on their target of £1.2m.

The hall in High Street dates back to 1931 and has been used since then for local clubs, meetings and events.

A second hall behind the main hall, known as the Freeman Hall, will be rebuilt as part of the project.

The Freeman Hall is to feature a heritage centre.

In 2010, the Village Hall Committee of Trustees started to look at options for refurbishing the halls.

Choir spokeswoman Liz Roberts said: “Much of the fundraising has come from private donations and almost monthly events staged by villagers since the goal was announced.

“The gospel concert, at which the choir will be joined by The Bagg’s Tree Buskers jazz band and Harwell Young Singers, takes place at St Matthew’s Church on Saturday, July 11, at 7.30pm.

“The church lawn will be open for picnics from 6.30pm.”

Keith Beswick, who is leading the restoration project, said trustees were pleased £910,000 had been raised so far.

Mr Beswick said money had come from events, donations, grants, gift aid and contributions from housing developers.

“Harwell is an expanding village and we need these facilities.

“We are now very close to our target and have asked local builders to tender for the build contract.

“We are still looking for enthusiastic people, ideally with legal experience and knowledge of the construction industry, to become trustees.”