Businessmen and women were happy to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty to transform a charity's community centre.

Blanchards Bailey sent a five-strong team to Rowan Cottage and set about renovating its social club with other volunteers, led by handyman Chris Rawlings.

Age UK Dorchester is an independent charity that helps older people across rural Dorset to maintain physical and mental wellbeing and is the law firm's chosen charity of the year.

Racing against the clock to make sure the makeover was ready in time, the volunteers worked tirelessly for four days to complete their tasks.

Work included painting the skirting boards and walls after knocking down a wall to create a new room, putting up shelves, emptying the social club, taking down blinds, removing a radiator, installing new light fittings and electrics, as well as ripping up the carpet and replacing it with a new one.

Finishing touches were then applied including putting up curtains, lamp shades and specialist dementia friendly equipment.

The centre now has a beautiful fresh ambiance with a light, clean and spacious feel against the backdrop of relaxing light blue walls. The renovation represents the start of work set to be undertaken at the centre.

The social club is used by members of the community who need company or for those who need a break from caring for family members, as well as providing activities such as singing, arts and crafts.

Blanchards Bailey solicitor Cordelia English also runs her legal advice clinics for the elderly at the club, which led to the legal firm organising and funding the makeover.

Lisa Holmes, head of care and support at Age UK Dorchester, said: “We are all absolutely delighted with how the renovation work has turned out - it is even better than we expected. We are so grateful to everyone who gave up their time and volunteered, including the Blanchards Bailey team, as well as Chris Rawlings and his helpers.

“It looks fabulous and everyone is so happy with what has been done and most importantly it is benefitting people that come to the centre. One of our clients who has sight loss said that because of all the natural daylight there now is, he can see so much better. This has made a huge difference to him which is great.”

Senior associate at Blanchards Bailey, Ian Campbell, added: “It was great to be part of such a rewarding project that makes a big difference to the lives of elderly people in the area. Everyone had fun mucking in to help get the work done. We are delighted with how it looks so far. We hope this will help make it a place where people enjoy coming and socialising.”

Chris said it was "an honour" to help out with such a worthy cause.

He said: "Everyone needs support at some point in their lives so it was nice to give a helping hand to the charity, which does such good work in the community. Everyone had a brilliant time.”