AMBITIOUS plans to transform an old garage into a major venue charting a town's history have been announced.

Town councillors are looking into the possibility of redeveloping the garage to the rear of Bedale Hall in a £200,000 scheme that would provide a new museum, as well as a sports changing area and toilets.

The town's current museum is housed in a cramped room in the main wing of the Grade I listed Bedale Hall, which has recently undergone a huge refurbishment programme.

If funding for the latest project can be found, the museum would be given more than twice its existing space for display and storage on the first floor of the garage. And the venue could also be made more accessible to disabled people with the installation of a lift.

The ground floor would accommodate toilets and changing facilities for members of football teams, which play in Bedale Hall park and visitors to car boot sales.

Mayor of Bedale, John Weighell, said: "There are two massive bridges to cross - planning and applying for funding - and then fitting out.

"It's a brilliant scheme, but it is a long-term project and it is going to take a lot of effort to pull it off."

A sub-committee of town councillors has been formed and they have commissioned local architects to draw up plans for the redevelopment of the area.

The cost was initially estimated at about £100,000, but architect Ian Harrison has told councillors that the figure was more likely to be £150,000 if a lift was incorporated.

And that amount could rise even further, up to £200,000, depending on the reaction of Hambleton District Council planning officials.

Councillors are aiming to secure planning permission before looking for extra cash from various grant-giving organisations.

Work on the project follows the completion of a year-long, £57,000 scheme to restore Bedale Hall to its former glory.

The country mansion was once the home of the Beresford-Peirse family, but was faced with the threat of demolition about 50 years ago.