The grand ballroom at Bilston’s historic town hall will once again be coming alive with waltzing couples as part of a nostalgic tea dance to mark its long-awaited re-opening.

Dancing fans are set to pull on their ballroom shoes to quickstep back into memory lane with the tea dance, part of the celebrations to mark the landmark building’s re-launch.

Following more than three years of painstaking restoration, it is now ready to regain its place as the jewel in Bilston’s crown.

Bosses are finally preparing to officially unveil the historic landmark with an opening ceremony on September 19.

The tea dance will be held on September 20 when the N C Big Band will kick off the festivities at 8pm. The tea dance has been announced just weeks after an historic organ was finally hoisted into place in the ballroom after months of renovation.

The 1,000-pipe Compton organ was first installed in the Lyric Cinema, Wellingborough, in 1936 and will now become the focus of the tea dances, concerts and weddings set to make a triumphant return to the town hall following the near £1 million revamp.

Workers moved into the building in April 2005 to start the refurbishment. And a catalogue of work has included repairing the roof, stonework and windows.

The original clock at the Grade II listed building has also started ticking again after more than seven years and a new striking glass entrance has been created.

Performing arts company Gazebo Theatre became the first occupants to move into the site last month.

Wolverhampton’s mayor, councillor Christine Mills, will be among the guests at the re-opening tea dance.

She will help to stage a raffle which will raise much-needed funds for the County Air Ambulance, Ward D20 at New Cross Hospital and the PDSA.

Tickets for the tea dance cost £8 and must be bought in advance. They will be on sale in The Melting Pot, St Leonard’s Church, from 10.30am on Monday.

For more information, call 01902 561967 or 01902 496306.