PROPOSALS for the development of Blockley Heritage Centre were given a resounding thumbs at a public exhibition at the weekend.

The public display was opened on Saturday by actress Sorcha Cusack, who plays the Irish parish secretary Mrs McCarthy in the series which has been filmed in and around Blockley over the last three years.

Hundreds of villagers of all ages filled the hall for the opening ceremony and completed questionnaires about the plans.

As previously reported, the £600,000 development of the society's premises next to St George’s Hall include a dedicated permanent exhibition hall, a heritage library and a Parish Council office along with the existing public hall that will serve as a lecture room and heritage activity centre for visiting school parties.

The museum will illustrate life in the Blockley parish from early Jurassic times – when Blockley was mainly under the sea and plesiosaurs were often seen - through to the present day and will bring to life eight strands of its history .

Robert Willott, society chairman said the overall response was brilliant.

"A large majority of visitors ranked the plans as extremely interesting and many commented on the

professionalism of the proposals.

"We received lots of useful suggestions that we can incorporate into our final plans.”

Thanking Ms Cusack for giving her time and support to the project, Mr Willott presented her with copies of two recent Heritage Society publications and Blockley School pupils Dominic Luff and Harry Clarkson presented her with a bouquet.