WORK is almost complete on a village hall that has been given a new lease of life following a fundraising campaign supported by residents.

Sandhutton and Breckenbrough village hall committee raised more than £8,000 to provide double-glazed windows and doors for the building in Northallerton Road, just outside Sandhutton, near Thirsk.

Its latest boost is a £4,500 grant from Yorventure, backed by Northallerton waste management company Yorwaste. North Yorkshire County Council has also contributed more than £2,000 and the Abbey National bank £1,000.

Villagers have raised the money to cover the remaining cost of the project.

The committee is hoping the refurbishment will prompt more groups to use the facilities, adding to the pensioners' dance group, a band and a computer course.

The hall was built as a school in 1892 and the original doors and windows were so rotten that they were in danger of falling out.

At times, the computer course had to be cancelled because of the cold.

A village hall committee spokesman said: "The double-glazing and new doors will make the hall much more user-friendly and will also help to conserve energy."

"New disabled toilet facilities are the next priority, to make the hall even more attractive to local groups and individuals, but we are very grateful to all our sponsors for their help so far."