RYEDALE residents have made the first important step in their campaign to give Aislaby and Middleton Village Hall a much-needed revamp.

They have secured a £7,000 grant from Yorventure to replace the outdated and inefficient heating system at the hall, in Middleton, near Pickering.

Yorventure is backed by Northallerton-based waste management company Yorwaste Ltd, which manages the Caulklands landfill site, four miles from Middleton.

Work is under way to replace the old, electric storage heating system with modern central heating. John Harrison, chairman of the village hall committee, said: "The new system is an important first step for us as it will make the hall much more comfortable for our users and will reduce the amount of energy wasted.

"Our aim now is to continue our fundraising efforts to refurbish our kitchen and toilet facilities, replace windows and doors and provide disabled toilets."

The revamp will be welcomed by groups which use the hall on a regular basis, including the Women's Institute and art and crafts groups.

The village hall committee also boosts funds by letting the hall out for social events and holding a regular charity shop.

Updated: 08:50 Friday, January 02, 2004