RICHMOND MP William Hague cut the ribbon to officially reopen a refurbished village hall on Saturday.

The hall, a former school in Kirby Sigston, near Northallerton, has undergone a £56,000 refit over the last six years.

Mr Hague also unveiled a plaque commemorating the occasion and was presented with a hamper by local youngster William Chapman.

"It gives me great pleasure to reopen the hall," said Mr Hague. "I hope it will be well used and I hope it will provide a continuing focal point for the community.

"Village halls are increasingly important to the life of the small towns, villages and hamlets of North Yorkshire."

The hall opened as a school in 1910 but closed in 1944. Two years later, a group of local people bought it for use as a community facility.