IN THE words of the great raconteur Sir Peter Ustinov, the new St Margaret's Hall at St Margaret's, near Deal, is a magnificent achievement by the community of a "unique" village.

The academy award winning actor, writer and director said he was flattered to be associated with such a "splendid" building, as he performed the official opening. The project cost around half a million pounds and organisations that had made it possible were there to share the special day.

Ray Harbidge, chairman of hall's management committee, said it was hard to believe that only nine months ago it was the site of an old village hall that had stood for 100 years. "Now we have a wonderful multi-functional hall for a wide range of sporting and social activities, " he added.

Mr Ustinov's connections with St Margaret's go back 60 years, when he spent a summer of his army service in a pillbox on the cliff top."I am honoured to be back here after defending you so bravely during the war," he told the crowd, who had packed into the main hall.

"It is such a unique place, sitting here on the top of the cliffs, watching benevolently over the mighty sea," he said. His affection for the "extraordinary" village even prompted him to buy the gun emplacement where he spent his military service, a home now owned by actress Miriam Margoyles. She also attended the opening ceremony. Both she and Sir Peter played their part in the fundraising effort, hosting events locally.

Mr Harbidge thanked the parish council, district council and Kent County Council for their backing of the scheme, which helped with the bid for lottery funding. Villagers were invited to join the celebrations with the celebrity guests after the unveiling of the plaque by Mr Ustinov.