An eco-friendly solution has addressed the problem of ear-unfriendly echoing in a Newton Poppleford venue.

Soundproofing is the latest step in renovating the village’s Pavilion and has already had the approval of young and old. David Zirker, the volunteer manager of the 1960s building, said the difference was obvious straight away when the recycled wool cladding was put up.

He said: “I thought it would only benefit the elderly and those with hearing aids, but I went to collect a cheque from the Brownies and it doesn’t even echo with screaming young girls.

“Everyone had been saying, can’t you do something about the acoustics?”

The building’s budget had been spent on refurbishments that included the removal of asbestos.

Villagers clubbed together to raise half of the £2,000 needed, and the rest was match-funded through Devon County Councillor Christine Channon’s Locality budget.

Wendy Lee, who was at last Friday’s lunch club, said: “It got to the point where we didn’t want to come – the soundproofing has made a big difference.”

It was brought in by Taunton-based company The Woolly Shepherd, which pitches its recycled wool products as the only sustainable option on the market.

David said the product – which got the thumbs-up in television show Dragon’s Den –had the added bonus of being half the price of a synthetic version.