VILLAGERS are on their way to securing £350,000 of Big Lottery Funding to refurbish their community hall after being awarded an initial £21,205.

Staindrop councillors and residents are backing the ‘A Hall for All’ campaign, led by the Hall Management Committee, which has plans to refurbish the village’s Scarth Memorial Hall.

The committee has already passed stages 1 and 2 of the Big Lottery’s Reaching Communities process and found out it has been invited to enter stage 3 on December 16.

They will now submit a final detailed bid by May 17, 2015, with the aim of gaining approval within four months after that.

Plans for upgrades and improvements to the building include a new commercial standard kitchen, new toilets, ramp access, cinema and computer suite as well as adding to the recent improvement of roof, windows and central heating.

Committee chairman, Morris Race, said it the whole community was behind the project which would now be able to submit a business plan.

“It’s brilliant news and certainly all the volunteers want a pat on the back,” he said. “We are one step closer – it’s emotional really after the frustrating three years.”

Staindrop parish councillor, Ed Chicken, added: “Although we have got this money we now need to design what’s going to be the hall for the next generation so my plea would be for people who have a view to put it forward.”

For more information or to get involved visit scarthhall.co.uk or search for Scarth Memorial Hall, Staindrop, on Facebook.