A £375,000 PROJECT to build an eco-friendly scout hut and community facility has passed the £50,000 mark despite encountering fundraising difficulties.

The Beckside Project was set up last year, with the aim of replacing the existing hut, on the banks of Bedale Beck, which has been in use since the Seventies and is considered beyond economical repair.

Ian Sandell, leader of Bedale Scouts, said the scheme had encountered difficulties raising funds, but it had now passed the £50,000 point.

However, hopes of having the new building in use by early next year now look to have been dashed.

It is hoped to replace the existing hut with an eco-friendly, wood-clad building, that would also be used by other community groups.

Mr Sandell said: "The new hut build fund has been severely hit by the difficulty of getting funding, as schemes have either disappeared or been drastically reduced.

"Although there is still a long way to go, we have now passed the £50,000 point.

"There have been many donations from across Bedale and beyond.

"Some of the major contributors have been Bedale Town Council, Aiskew Parish Council, R and R Ice Cream, in Leeming Bar, The Rectors Four and 20 fund, Bedale Chamber of Commerce and proceeds from the sale of the book ‘Reflections of Bedale.’"

The scout group caters for about 150 young people in the area.

It is hoped the new facility, which already has planning approval from Hambleton District Council, will also accommodate other groups, such as Aiskew Under Fives pre-school.

The first section of the funding has been provided by the Bedale 4+20 Fund, which helps deserving causes in the area.

Scouts raised funds for the project at the recent Bedale Festival.

Mr Sandell said: "The festival gave a very positive picture of young people as they demonstrated their skills at a variety of activities in the arena including music, dancing, marshal arts and circus skills, not of course forgetting the activities of the scouts and guides.

"Despite the constant threat of rain the festival was a huge success and raised desperately-needed funds towards the hut."

Anyone interested in supporting the project can email bedalebeckside@gmail.com