A village school that has been neglected for about 20 years is likely to be given a new lease of life as a community hall.

Residents of the parish of Gilling, Cawton and Caulton, near Helmsley, have backed the idea of refurbishing and renovating the 110-year-old building following a public meeting.

One of the leaders behind the £75,000 venture is Ken Harris, who moved into Gilling a year ago from the south coast, and created interest in the idea by having a questionnaire distributed to every household.

"We have a lot of families and children in the parish and the response we got at the meeting was excellent and very encouraging," said Mr Harris, who has been elected chairman.

The parish has two churches and a pub, The Fairfax Arms, but no village hall.

When the school was in use, it doubled as a meeting place for the community.

Mr Harris said the York Diocesan Authority, as the trustees of the building, had agreed for it to become a community hall at a peppercorn rent.

"We have a lot of people who are prepared to help get the venture off the ground and we now have a management committee," he said.

The school building was designed by Walter Brierley, the civic architect for North Yorkshire, who also designed County Hall, in Northallerton.

The grounds of the old school would become a football ground, tennis and play area for children.