VILLAGERS are being urged to do all they can to help an appeal designed to bring their community hall into the 21st Century.

Volunteers and funds are still needed to help raise a further £8,000 towards the crucial refurbishment of the village hall at Brompton, Northallerton.

Built in 1876 as a temperance hall, the building was given to local people as a village hall in 1934 and is now run as a registered charity by a six-strong local committee.

For the past two years, they have been working on improvements to the hall and, in order to bring it in line with Government legislation, it also needs to include disabled access.

The work will cost £16,000 and will include new toilets, a wheelchair ramp, a kitchen upgrade and better storage facilities for use by community groups.

The hall is used nearly every day for a wide range of activities, including toddler groups, dances, Women's Institute meetings, badminton, drama and ceilidhs.

It was also used as an emergency classroom for the local school when that was hit by flooding.

The committee has raised £3,000, £3,700 has come from North Yorkshire County Council, £500 from the parish council, and the fund has been bolstered by a number of donations - but £8,000 is still needed to complete the work.

Committee members, together with volunteers and local workmen, have decorated and maintained the hall.

Recent work has included painting, replacing rotten window sills and the refurbishment of the entrance doors.

Committee vice-chairman Audrey Pitchforth said the latest upgrade was badly needed, but could not happen without funding and manpower to help.

"The hall is a well-used village facility and we need volunteers to help keep it going," she said.

"We would love to hear from anyone who can spare a few hours a month, or who has the skills and knowledge to either raise funds or lower the running costs."

Anyone willing to help is invited to attend an annual general meeting in the village hall on October 13, at 7.30pm, to discuss ideas.

Alternatively, contact committee members Mrs Pitchforth, on (01609) 771334, Robert Carter, on (01609) 761356, or Douglas Rudd, on (01609) 780296.