A village community centre was reopened last night with a historic picture hanging in the bar and promises the centre will soon lie at the “heart of the community”.

More than four months after the London Colney Community Centre, in Caledon Road, lost its licence, a party was held yesterday evening to celebrate its reopening.

The centre was shut at the end of July after police recommended the council revoke its licence.

Now run by the village's parish council, those involved have high hopes for a successful future and grand plans for the building.

Malcolm Macmillan, chairman of London Colney Parish Council, said: “Tonight is about the reopening of the Caledon Centre.

“The club got into a state of disrepair, they lost their licence and what we want to do is reopen it and turn it into a real service for the community.

“What we want is more community activities going on inside the centre.”

The club's kitchen will undergo a makeover next week and the parish council has plans to start running a meals on wheels service from the club.

In January, the parish council will relocate from its rented offices in the High Street into the community centre and local clubs are being also being encouraged to make use of the centre's facilities.

Councillor Macmillan added: “It is exciting because the place was dilapidated.

“People have been in here scrubbing and cleaning and a lot of effort has gone into getting the place ready for tonight.

“We want this to become the heart of the community.”

The refurbished club now has a large framed picture, hanging pride of place in the bar area, of Spitfire P7350, an aircraft brought back to life by local firm John Dale Ltd.

The Spitfire Mark 2 aircraft was bought by the former London Colney-based firm for just £25 for scrap.

Today the plane is the oldest working Spitfire and was one of the machines used in the filming of Battle of Britain.

It is now at RAF Colerne and took part in the 1967 memorial flight. The picture was most recently on display at a local history exhibition inside the village hall, but has now found a permanent home, for all to see, in the centre.

Last night's reopening was celebrated with a party and a live band.

Dredra Gordon, district and parish councillor for the village, added: “The bar has been redecorated, a new kitchen is about to be fitted and we really want to make this a community facility.”