THE rewards of tireless fundraising by residents will be reaped later this week.

Hanover Housing Association residents in Haywards Heath will be celebrating on Friday when a new purpose built community lounge will be officially opened by the town’s mayor Councillor Sandy Ellis.

The new lounge is largely thanks to Hanover resident Cathy Shirley who, together with members of the Mill Hill Close Residents Association, raised £18,000 to build and retrofit the new building.

Funding came from the Big Lottery, Haywards Heath Town Council and West Sussex County Council.