A WEEK-long celebration of England’s village halls gets underway next week.

Returning for its eighth year, Village Halls Weeks shines a spotlight on the beating heart of England’s rural communities... the humble village hall.

Action with Communities in Rural England’s annual campaign aims celebrate, encourage and support the efforts of the volunteers who keep these important buildings open.

There are more than 10,000 village halls in England.

Action with Communities in Rural England are calling for people to share their photos, stories, and messages showcasing what makes their hall and its volunteers special using the ‘#VillageHallsWeek’ on social media.

For each day Village Halls Week, which gets underway on Monday, March 17, there will be a different focus.

Action with Communities in Rural England has a wealth of resources available for those wanting to take part.

Visit the charity's website for more details.