A LONG-neglected Victorian building has been transformed to become the hub of village life in a remote Dales community.

The Church of England has been putting Government policy into practice in Fremington, Swaledale, where the old Sunday School has been turned into a centre for local people.

The opening next Wednesday comes just six weeks after the Government published its Rural White Paper, which advocated, among other things, the development of church buildings for community use.

About £50,000 has been spent on refurbishment of the 19th Century building, which was in a dilapidated condition before the work got under way four months ago.

The money for the project was raised through donations from church members and by a grant from the Yorkshire Millennium Trust.

Disabled access and toilet facilities, plus a new kitchen have been added to the single-roomed building. The fittings, paintwork and furnishings have all been overhauled.

Groups such as the Swaledale Parish Choir and Reeth Brass band will be able to rehearse there.

The hall will also be used by the local bride club, the Swaledale Festival and for various parties and community functions.

Until the beginning of Lent, the revamped building will also be used to stage a series of special church services every Sunday.

The Bishop of Ripon, the Right Reverend John Packer, said the project was an excellent example of the church and the community working together.

"I have been encouraging church leaders in rural areas throughout the diocese to look imaginatively at appropriate ways in which church buildings can be used for the benefit of the whole community," he said.

"The church is one of the key partners in sustaining the life of rural communities and I hope the Fremington Centre will be of great benefit to people in the area."

The bishop will officially open the centre at 7.30pm on Wednesday.

It will follow after a day-long visit to Swaledale, during which he will meet local farmers and business people