A dales community was today celebrating a £50,000 windfall which will help give a major facelift to its town hall.
The Newcastle-based Northern Rock Foundation has offered the money for the refurbishment of the hall at St John's Chapel in Weardale.
Last month the hall's management committee announced it had received a grant of £300,000 from the National Lottery's Community Fund.
The money will be spent on essential repairs, heating, extra rooms and an extension to the stage, which is used by local groups for concerts. Part of it has also been earmarked for an imaginitive plan to install a DVD cinema in the hall.
The total scheme will cost more than £500,000.
Sue Tallentire, vice-chairman of the management committee, said: "We are absolutely delighted with this latest grant.
"It is recognition that people and organisations care about what happens in rural communities like this. We aim to make the hall an essential hub for the whole community here in Upper Weardale."
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