THE rural community of Tosside has been awarded a £181,000 Community Fund lottery grant towards rebuilding its village hall.

The grant has been made to Tosside Community Link the registered charity formed by all the voluntary groups based in the hamlet on the edge of Gisburn Forest.

Chairman of the Community Link, Richard Frankland said the grant was reward for a great deal of hard work.

"We are delighted to get this major award," said Richard. "If all goes well we should be able to match it with European funding."

There has been a village institute in Tosside for over 80 years. The first was a former First World War wooden army hut which was replaced in 1968 by the present pre-fabricated concrete construction. Both buildings were built by the residents and have become famous for the regular dances and social evenings.

The condition of the current hall has deteriorated in recent years and it struggles to meet modern health and safety, disability and environmental standards.

The new hall will be larger and will accommodate dances, indoor bowls, the youth club, a meeting room, a kitchen and a small bar. Outside there will be a car park and toilets for use by visitors to the village.