WORK on a village hall's major refurbishment is due to get underway after a successful campaign to raise £110,000 for the work.

Renovations to Topcliffe and Asenby Village Hall, near Thirsk, are expected to start early next month after the money was raised from a wide range of regional and national charities and other organisations.

The 55-year-old building will be extended to accommodate new toilets, extra space for community activities, new storage areas and improved disabled access.

The work will also involve creating an improved entrance lobby and enhancing the outside of the building.

Once the work is complete, facilities inside will be improved and the hall redecorated. The lighting and dance floor will be updated and a new audio visual system installed.

Last August, work was completed on a £16,000 kitchen refurbishment which will allow the hall to host such activities as weddings, parties and dances, as well as providing facilities for regular user groups.

That work was paid for with grants from The Big Lottery: Awards for All Fund, Hambleton Council and The Jack Brunton Charitable Trust in Stokesley.

Andrew Eckersley, chairman of the Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall committee said the new kitchen was already proving invaluable.

“It has taken a lot of very hard work to raise the amount of money needed to undertake this essential improvement work which will help us provide much improved facilities for villagers and other users of our village hall,” he said.

“I am extremely grateful to the village hall committee members who have raised the cash we require and to the Northallerton and District Voluntary Services Association that has provided crucial guidance and support.

“But most of all I must thank the many organisations that have provided grants to enable us to undertake this improvement project: their generosity is amazing.

Mr Eckersley said in addition to grants, the project also received a huge boost from local residents.

He said: “In addition to the grants won from charitable organisations, local people who are totally committed to the plans for the hall have dug deep to help raise funds, particularly via a Brick in the Hall scheme, but also by running events and raffles.

“When the improvements are completed, we plan to put up a large commemorative plaque featuring the names of everyone – individuals and organisations - who has supported us so that their contribution is recorded for posterity.”