A venue that aims to promote men's mental health is set for a revamp after receiving a funding boost.

Lowestoft Men’s Shed has been providing a space for men to share conversation, hobbies and skills at its century-old home in Stradbroke Road, Pakefield for the last seven years.

With members having refurbished the century-old building – initially built to dry and mend fishing nets in the 1920s - over the years, they have now received a welcome boost.

The venue, called The Hut - which enables men to congregate and connect - has received a donation of £3,543 from six East Suffolk councillors to help with improvements, including window replacement and structural repairs.

The funding boost has come from the collective Enabling Communities Budgets of Kirkley and Pakefield ward councillors Peter Byatt, Louise Gooch and Malcolm Pitchers, and Oulton Broad councillors Edward Back, André Gee and Keith Robinson.

The Lowestoft Men's Shed, which has grown in membership from 12 to 64 in just seven years, aims to promote men’s good health – particularly for those who are retired, unemployed, or have health problems – through hobbies, recreational and or other leisure time occupations, including practical interests, skills sharing and the learning of new skills, and helping with other community-based projects.

Cllr Gooch said: “The shedders have worked wonders refurbishing their home and have established an asset to the community through their work to support men’s wellbeing."

Cllr Back said: “We are pleased to have pooled funding from our collective Enabling Communities Budgets to make this grant to the Lowestoft Men's Shed.

“The group has gone from strength to strength since its formation."

Trevor Ayers, Lowestoft Men's Shed treasurer, said: "We believe that this coming together of men, meeting and chatting over a cup of tea, working on common projects has made a significant impact on their lives."