THE chime of the old school bell has tolled a landmark in the history of two villages.

Cleasby and Stapleton Village Hall, on the border of North Yorkshire and County Durham, used to be a school, but the bell which rang at the end of class has been missing for 70 years.

However, a recent restoration and refurbishment project included the installation of a bell.

At the weekend, to mark the completion of the first phase of the facelift, long-serving village hall committee members Betty Bromfield and Hazel Carter were invited to ring the bell in celebration.

An open night was held on Saturday to thank everyone who helped with the £83,700 scheme, which attracted a £67,400 grant from the National Lottery's Heritage Fund.

Further improvements to the building are planned within the next few years.