WITHAM MP and Home Secretary Priti Patel toured the newly refurbished town hall last week - and handed a cheque for the mayor's charities.

Mayor of Witham Angela Kilmartin gave Ms Patel a tour of the refurbished hall building and grounds in Newland Street on September 17.

During the tour she was shown the renovated town council offices and chamber as well as rare documents and furniture on display in the building.

The Home Secretary and Ms Kilmartin also discussed future development plans for the site.

Speaking after her visit, Ms Patel said: "I very much enjoyed catching up with Angela during her mayoral year and the tour I was given of the Town Hall.

"The new facilities are very impressive and something that the Town should be proud of in the future.

"It was also fascinating to see aspects of the Town’s heritage on display."

Ms Kilmartin said: "It was a great pleasure to see Priti and to show her what we have done with the Town Hall."

The MP also gave a £500 donation to the mayor's chosen charities for her year in office, Macmillan Cancer Support and the Witham Amateur Operatic Society.