FOR nearly a year they've been homeless.

When arsonists torched a Hampshire Guide hut on Hallowe'en last year, more than 100 girls saw their beloved base go up in smoke.

A fundraising campaign was launched to resurrect their building from the ashes.

Now the cruel trick played on them has become a treat as the four groups that use the hall are celebrating a £5,000 Lottery grant.

It means they can finally use their hut again as early as next month.

The 2nd Woolston Guides successfully applied for the maximum amount from the Lottery's Awards for All programme.

The money will help pay for the new, larger hall, which has cost more than £30,000 to build.

Simon Bax, the groups' co-ordinator for the building work, said: "It will be bigger and better than before.

"When we took the hut over, the aim was to make is a local centre for the Guide and Scout movements.

"In order to do that, we have installed separate male and female toilets and there is a new shower room so it could become a small-scale camping centre. There is also a new kitchen and the hall itself is double the size that it was."

Mr Bax said the hut, to be named Phoenix House, would be opened next month.

Guide leader Brenda Bax said two Guide groups and one pack each of Rangers, Rainbows and Brownies used the hut. She said: "Since it was burned down, they have had to meet at various other venues, such as church halls.

"The girls are very excited about the grant and also that the building will open soon."

Anyone who wants to make a donation can contact Mr and Mrs Bax on 023 8043 8150.