A CHARITY that brings the arts to rural areas has won a £20,000 grant to develop a community centre of excellence.

Rural Arts will now be able to transform its base at the Old Courthouse, Thirsk, into a home for community art projects and activities.

The charity co-ordinates and develops creative and performing arts activities involving people of all ages and backgrounds in North Yorkshire.

It bought the Old Courthouse in 1995. The building dates from 1885 and was the original district courthouse.

Rural Arts has embarked on a three-year project to turn the building into a fully accessible base for its growing range of projects.

New facilities will include a media studio, performance, exhibition and workshop spaces, plus disabled access facilities.

The £20,000 grant has come from Yorventure, which is backed by Northallerton based waste management company Yorwaste, under the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme.

It allows landfill operators to invest some of the tax they collect on behalf of the Government in environmental projects near their sites.

The grant will help to fund the first phase of the project, which will see the Old Courtroom developed into a space that will be used for performances, exhibitions and workshops.

Artist and rural arts director Angela Hall said: "Our projects don't just give people a chance to explore the creative or artistic side they might not know they possess - they also help to build confidence and develop new skills.

"We're delighted that Yorventure is supporting our efforts to create a centralised base for our work. It will have a major benefit on the work we do in North Yorkshire."

Yorventure community grants officer Suzanne Chapman was given the chance to see Rural Arts in action recently during a raku workshop at Kell Bank Primary School, in Healey, Masham.

Raku is an ancient Japanese technique used in the making of tea bowls for the traditional tea ceremony.

Ms Chapman said: "The benefits to the children of experiencing hands-on such an exciting technique was clear to see.

"We're delighted to support Rural Arts in their efforts to develop and enhance their work, and at the same time help to preserve such a historic local building."