WORK on emergency repairs to Bedale Hall’s ballroom has started thanks to an award of £10,000.

The grant from the Aviva Community fund was handed to the Grade I-listed building as part of a Judges Choice Award of 2016.

A leak in the roof of the ballroom at the hall during the winter of last year damaged the ornate decoration, woodworm was also discovered in the roof.

Trustees of the hall set up an appeal to help with costs of the work, now boosted by the Aviva cash.

Some work has now been carried out and the ballroom is now due to be painted.

Hall trustee Yvonne Rose said: “Fortunately, Aviva had a wide criteria and a quick decision process. By the beginning of January we knew we had the £10,000 grant, which was absolutely brilliant.”

Bedale Hall dates back to the 14th-century. In the 1700s, the then-manor house was transformed into a Palladian mansion. From 1777, many improvements were made to the building including the ballroom.

Ms Rose added: “Maintenance is difficult. Usually when we start on a project, we tend to find something else needing repair.

“This grant now sets us up for the year. So we can now focus on looking for more grants for the drawing room.”

The hall today is used for many different events including wedding and civil ceremonies, receptions and celebrations. The hall can also be used for business, such as for conferences and meetings. It also houses the local library, museum and tourist information centre.The Town Council and Community Forum also meet there.