A FUNDING bid could lead to a £500,000 overhaul of a landmark Ryedale community venue.

The management committee of the Milton and Assembly Rooms at Malton is bidding for a Heritage Lottery Grant to transform the venue into an innovative arts venue.

Ryedale District Council (RDC) has now earmarked £25,000 towards the major refurbishment scheme and Malton Town Council is set to provide a further £5,000.

Committee chairman, Merryn Wilderspin, said that there are ‘big plans’ for the venue including restoring the Georgian ballroom and maximising the Milton Rooms into a multi-purpose arts centre.

The venue is hosting a series of community events in the coming months and Ms Wilderspin said: “Investing in the Milton and Assembly Rooms has enormous potential for Ryedale in so many ways - economically, culturally and in the district’s health and well-being. We are convinced it can become a leading innovative arts venue for North Yorkshire, and a centre of excellence for drama, music, the visual arts, literature and crafts.”