FIVE families of housemartings have forced organisers of a community hall to delay plans for improvement works.

Work will get under way at the Memorial Hall, in West Tanfield, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, after the birds have flown the nest in August.

Members of the Memorial Hall Committee are waiting to spend a £7,600 Yorventure grant on repairing the eaves and improving guttering.

They cannot carry out the work at the moment for fear of disturbing the birds.

Chairman Robert Trewhitt said: "There are five families of housemartins dotted round the building and we feel that, as they've travelled a long way to make their nests, the least we can do is leave them in peace over the summer to raise their young."

The hall is well used by the community as well as acting as the base for West Tanfield Parish Council.

Committee members are hoping to raise a further £6,000 to provide disabled access and toilet facilities.

Mr Trewhitt said: "The hall is very well used by playgroups, the WI and for educational and recreational classes. We think there is scope to make even better use of it, especially involving the young people of the village."