THE future of a stately home used as an adult education centre should be taken out of limbo quickly, says a leading North Yorkshire county councillor.

Carl Les, cabinet member for corporate resources, said a decision about the future use of Grantley Hall, near Ripon, should be made as soon as possible to end uncertainty for staff and users.

Responding to growing concern about its future, he said: "We should be getting a move on with this."

He said he would be raising the issue with senior council officials in a bid to progress the matter.

A range of options for the hall are being explored following a consultants' survey of possible future uses.

But Coun Les said selling the hall was low down the list of options.

Consultants had suggested the hall could be turned into a hotel. The hall is set in 30 acres and was previously owned by the former West Riding County Council. It was passed to North Yorkshire on local government reorganisation in 1974.

Grantley Hall was once the home of the first Lord Furness. Although a prominent Methodist, the church at nearby Winksley was built in his memory.

The hall, alongside the River Skell, is noted for its beautiful gardens.