FUNDRAISERS have launched a scheme to raise £1m and turn a city's former workhouse into a user-friendly community house.

Heading the project is Ripon Council for Voluntary Service (RCVS) which says the city urgently needs a community house, providing a central base for local organisations.

The building identified for the community house was formerly the hospital wing of the Old Workhouse, in Allhallowgate, close to the market place.

The RCVS is seeking grants and donations, as well as people to organise fundraising events or adopt the organisation as their chosen charity.

A spokesman for Ripon City Partnership, formed to lead regeneration of the city, said some of the promised £290,000 had been released to help fund a feasibility study into the project.

The community house's children's wing will offer a large play area with static equipment, storage for toys and a fenced-off garden area.

There will be a "one-stop" information centre, with information about health and social care and community services, as well as low rental office accommodation for voluntary groups.

Planning permission for the project has been given.