A FIVE-year quest to modernise a village hall has been completed following a £27,000 investment.

MP Rishi Sunak joined the villagers of Kirkby Fleetham, near Northallerton, to celebrate the completion of improvement works to their hall.

The most recent and final part of the upgrade included the installation of a new central heating system and internal insulation of walls and ceilings.

The project was funded by contributions from The Big Lottery Fund, a number of charitable trusts, Hambleton District Council and the discretionary budget of North Yorkshire County Councillor Annabel Wilkinson.

Mr Sunak described the refurbished hall as a fabulous facility for the community.

He said: “This is a tremendous example of a community coming together to make something really special happen. This is a beautiful facility which I am sure will be valued by generations to come.”

The work has included creating a meeting room/community library and new toilet facilities, along with a large, comprehensively-equipped kitchen with everything needed to cater for up to 80 guests.