A VILLAGE which outgrew its community hall has been given a £20,000 boost for an expansion scheme.

Work at the Mechanics' Institute in Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, will cost £30,000.

The grant has come about because of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme and the Northallerton-based waste management company Yorwaste Ltd which manages West Tanfield landfill site, near Ripon.

The building was erected in 1852, to provide local people with educational and recreational facilities.

An extension was added in 1936,with a hall and a stage, but the building was left with inadequate kitchen and toilet facilities.

With use of the hall increasing as Kirkby grew, there was a need for further expansion.

Thanks to the major grant, the Mechanics' Institute village hall committee has raised the cash needed to bring facilities up to date.

Committee secretary Neil Fraser says: "The hall is right in the middle of the village, so it is a real focal point and extremely well used. Lack of adequate space and facilities had become a real issue."

Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill Parish Council has contributed £1,000 towards the project and further support has been pledged by North Yorkshire County Council.

Work is to start in April and could take up to six months to complete.