A TOWN hall refurbishment project has been highly commended in a national environmental awards ceremony.

The scheme for Stokesley Town Hall received the accolade in the Community Indoor Amenity Category at the Biffaward Awards.

The hall was built in 1853 and is a Grade-II listed building.

A renovation and development plan was devised in 1999 as it needed disabled access, new electrical wiring, a heating system and safety exits.

A Biffaward grant of almost £67,000 contributed to the cost of restoring the building and helped to fund a lift allowing older and disabled people access to the hall.