VILLAGERS have launched a £250,000 fundraising campaign to convert a church into a village hall.

The current hall in Dishforth, between Thirsk and Ripon, is in a dilapidated condition.

The village fundraising committee bought the former Christ Church, and is now looking to convert that into a community hall.

A grant of £50,000 has been secured from the Waste Regulatory Environmental Limited landfill committee. The funding is available to projects within 11 miles of a landfill site. Dishforth qualifies through its proximity to the Hanson site at Allerton Park.

A further £4,500 has been secured through local fundraising.

Fundraiser Suzanne Beattie said: "Our existing village hall has passed its sell-by date and we need a new one.

"The former Christ Church needs some work doing to it and the roof is especially in need of repair.

"We have done some fundraising and have around £54,500, but we are still well short of the funds we need to do all the work which is needed."

The land on which the former village hall stands is to be auctioned to raise money for the group.

Harrogate Borough Council has given approval to build two houses on the land and it is hoped this will attract buyers.

The church dates from 1751 and was still in use at its village centre location until 2003 when it was closed.

It has stood empty since, but was sold to the village fundraising group for £1. The cost of renovating the building has been estimated at £250,000.

On Saturday, the group launched its latest fundraising venture, the Dishforth grand prize draw.

The first prize of a rally experience with the Pirelli Pro-Rally Team has been donated by the company to help raise funds.

The team is offering to take the winner out for a drive in a rally car round a specially-created circuit.

Rally driver Matt Stephens was at Christ Church on Saturday to help launch the raffle.

Tickets cost £1 each and are on sale in the village. They can also be bought by calling Pauline Wardman on 01845-578063.