FUNDING of up to £20,000 has been approved to help refurbish Bramhope's village hall.

The money from the Outer North West Community Committee will go towards the repair and renovation of the Robert Craven Memorial Hall's roof.

The committee, made up of councillors from Horsforth, Otley & Yeadon, Guiseley & Rawdon and Adel & Wharfedale, made the decision at its November 27 meeting.

Councillor Barry Anderson (Con, Adel & Wharfedale) said: "I am delighted we have been able to help the Robert Craven Hall Committee to realise its ambitions with a large grant from the Wellbeing fund.

"The hall is an absolutely superb facility right in the heart of Bramhope and well used by community groups of all ages.

"It is used for a whole variety of classes, entertainment and as a meeting space and is hired by a host of organisations for various different events.

"It is vital we keep these premises from disappearing due to lack of upkeep and the committee is working really hard on a number of projects and has great ambitions for the hall.

"It already done an enormous amount of work."

Councillor Caroline Anderson (Con, Adel & Wharfedale) added: "I have been in the hall recently to see the current facilities for myself and had a walk round to look at what needs to be done, and to see what the plans are for the different areas.

"The premises are very large with masses of further potential, as and when the funding is provided.

"It is great that we can help them with stage one of the refurbishment, which is the roof.

"Obviously that has to come first within their current programme, and once that is sound they will be able to move to other areas.

"The hall is a wonderful facility to have and really important to the village - in the wider context having a place where people can meet and take part in a number of activities is great for all sorts of social reasons, not least combating loneliness and keeping people active."

The committee approved funding of £15,000 'up front' with a further £5,000 to be made available should match funding prove not to be available.

The money will come from the Adel & Wharfedale ward's share of the Wellbeing fund.

The work on the roof - for an estimated total cost of £30,000 - is the first phase in a three-stage revamp of the hall.