Mirza (right) inspired the centre, opened by Ken Livingstone

In an impressive demonstration of goodwill, businesses in Kingston-upon-Thames helped to renovate the building for free.

The Shiraz Mirza Community Hall was named after the inspirational former mayor who was the driving force behind the project.

Mr Mirza told BBC News Online on Saturday he paid only �25 towards it - for lemonade and orange juice at the opening ceremony.

He wanted to create a space shared by all the diverse communities in the London borough, from Korean to Gujarati, Muslim to Methodist, Sikh to Bahai, African to East European, literary groups to line-dancers.

Dream

That dream was realised on Thursday when London Mayor Ken Livingstone officially opened the centre.

Mr Mirza, Kingston's first Asian mayor three years ago, said: "We could have built anything, there was so much goodwill.

"Everyone said they wanted to be involved and I didn't want any public money being used to pay for it. We now want to reach out to every single group."

I didn't want to just identify with my own (ethnic) group, but the whole community Shiraz Mirza Founder

Already fully booked for some time, the hall will be used for functions including Diwali celebrations, teenage pregnancy seminars and cultural diversity lectures.

Six months ago, the former YMCA building in Norbiton was identified and then companies were approached to help in the renovation.

Repairs included installing a new kitchen, laying the carpets and repainting - paid for and carried out by local people and businesses.

Help came from quarters such as the probation service, nightclubs, building developers, sign writers and local newspaper, the Surrey Comet.

Ten years ago, Mr Mirza was paralysed from the neck down by Guillain-Barr� Syndrome.

But after overcoming the potentially fatal illness, he became determined to devote his second life to helping others.

He added: "This is a fine example of all the good that can be achieved when people with a vision come together in the interests of community."