THE community of Sessay turned out in force to help choose the design for a new £1.5 million sports hub for the village.

They were asked to vote for their favourite design from the four shortlisted in a national competition organised by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). And those votes were considered when the final judging took place this month – judging which saw a company from Edinburgh take top slot.

Sutherland Hussey Architects – with Gross Max Landscape Architects – will now work with the people of Sessay.

“The standard of designs put forward by the four finalists was very high – we were impressed by them all and it was a very hard decision to choose one winner,” said parish council chair, John MacPherson.

The winning design replaces the existing village hall with a new modern building, a second cricket pitch, multi-use games area and other amenities.

The new community hub - which sits between the two cricket pitches - includes a café area, and rooms capable of being used for everything from meetings and cricket teas, to fitness classes, drama productions and even weddings.