A VILLAGE hall will be reopened today following a year-long £165,000 refurbishment.

The Mechanics' Institute, in Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, has a new kitchen, annex, toilets and disabled facilities.

The work took villagers eight years to plan and three years to raise the necessary funds.

Wherever possible, local tradesmen have been used to carry out the improvements.

The hall was opened for a preview yesterday and will be formally reopened at 10.15am today.

Retired local farmer and supporter of the project, John Peacock has been invited to perform the opening ceremony.

The Mechanics' Institute dates back to 1852 and is run by trustees.