AFTER years of wrangling and anticipation Hasbury Community Centre is now officially open.

Dignitaries, councillors and board members attended the official opening on Saturday to see the Mayor of Dudley Councillor Mo Hanif and Halesowen Normandy Landings veteran Les Marsh cut the ribbon.

The Légion d'Honneur recipient was given a standing ovation when he entered the former Huntingtree Sons of Rest which was built in 1948 to honour Halesowen’s war dead.

The building was closed by Dudley Council in 2012 but using new legislation the HCA has taken it over for the good of the community after several years of legal wrangling.

Chairman of Hasbury Community Centre Association Cllr Ian Cooper said: "The official opening was wonderful and the fact that it was five years in making made it all the more special.

"To have war veteran Les Marsh there on the day with the children of St Margaret of Hasbury demonstrated how the centre can be for different generations."

He added: "The centre has been open nearly a year now and we have groups using it regularly but there are vacancies for people who want to hire it."

Over a hundred people attended the opening and £170 was raised for the centre's running costs through a raffle.

Entertainment was provided by St Margaret's at Hasbury Church of England Primary School's choir.