A FISHING village's church is set to take on a dual role - as a centre for artists and craftworkers.
The idea is on the drawing board for St Peter's Church, Staithes, near Whitby, as part of a £1.8m Government-funding Single Regeneration Budget award to revive the beauty spot's economy.
The rector, the Reverend Jonathan Cooper, said: "We are in the early stages of the scheme, but the church is being very positive and we are working with the SRB group. We would have to screen off the altar when the church is being used by the artists."
The group says more space is needed in Staithes for the growing number of artists and craftworkers.
"It has proved a very popular option following a survey we carried out among residents," said project officer Carl Duck.
The village was made famous in the 1930s by the Staithes Group of Artists, a group of professional artists headed by Dame Laura Knight, who made the village their home and went on to become some of the best known names in British art.
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