SUPPORTERS of a tiny village hall are mounting a huge fundraising effort to raise money for a new kitchen.

With only a few dozen houses and no pub, the hamlet of Thornley, near Tow Law, uses the former schoolroom for most of its meetings and social gatherings.

Residents have enlisted support from nearby farming and business communities to raise the £6,000 they need to improve the building by installing a kitchen and boiler and changing the layout.

Farmer Philip Walker hosted a Hog Roast which not only brought in £1,740 but was also an enjoyable family occasion.

Committee member Catherine Gatenby said: "We have social events and classes and events to support the village church. There is nothing else in the village.

"We need a kitchen to have things like weddings and whist drives and other things that bring the community together.

"We were turned down for an Awards for All grant so, unless there are any other sources of funding, we are having to do it all ourselves."