CONSTRUCTION has begun on a community hall that will provide a focal point for people of all ages.

The £700,000 multi-purpose building at Rufforth will be able to accommodate a wide range of social, recreational and educational activities.

It will also offer valuable space for pupils at the local primary school, who will be able to use the hall for PE lessons, assemblies and extra-curricular activities, such as the after-school club Kidzone.

The hall is being funded by City of York Council, Rufforth Primary School and Northallerton-based Yorventure, which has provided a £190,000 grant under the landfill tax credit scheme.

The council's director of learning and children's services Patrick Scott said: "This project is very exciting. It is all about putting into practice our belief that schools should be at the heart of their communities.

"In Rufforth the school is taking a lead in making sure that facilities for the community are available in the community."

The building is expected to be completed by December.