LIFE begins at 40 - at least it does for one village hall in North Yorkshire's .

The centre, at Thornton Watlass, near Bedale, was built in 1962 to replace an old reading room in the village.

Now a £9,000 package of improvements is giving the building a facelift.

Outdated heating, electric and lighting systems are being removed and replaced with modern systems and security measures as well as new signage.

The work is being paid for with the help of a £5,000 Awards for All grant, £1,562 from Yorventure and £1,668 from Hambleton District Council. The shortfall is coming from the hall committee's funds.

The hall, which also serves the villages of Thirn, Clifton on Ure and Burrill, is normally in use all week round.

It is home to the local pre-school and is the meeting place for many local organisations, including the parish council, parochial church council, Women's Institute, cricket club, gardening club and conservation group.

Hall committee treasurer David Syers said: "It was in real need of bringing up to date and will be much more secure, efficient to heat, and brighter.

"The playgroup will also be able to use more of the hall for its sessions because of the improved heating system.

"The improvements will be completed just in time for the hall's 40th birthday, and so the grants were very timely and extremely welcome.