WOMEN’S Institute members are calling on the public to help them secure a grant that would facilitate vital repairs to their community hall.

The Romanby WI is unusual because it has its own hall, a green painted timber building constructed in 1939.

Members have been fundraising hard to refurbish the building and protect it for future generations and now they are calling on the community to help them win a £12,000 grant from Marks and Spencer’s Community Energy Fund.

The WI needs to win a public vote to secure the money which president Margaret Whitehead said would take members around six years to raise by themselves.

The hall is used by a wide range of local clubs and community groups.

To support the project visit mandsenergyfund.com and vote for Romanby WI.