A timber building being imported from Finland is to replace the 87-year-old village hall, which recently had to be demolished, at Arkendale, near Knaresborough.

The Arkendale Memorial Hall project will provide the village with a community hall made from sustainable materials. It is part of nine Big Lottery Fund awards totalling £2.71m for village halls and community centres across England.

Peter Thorndyke, secretary to Arkendale Village Hall Committee, said: "We're delighted to have been awarded this grant from the Big Lottery Fund which will allow us to build a new village hall that everyone can be proud of.

"Arkendale has been without a communal hall for some time and has had no focal point in which various interest groups could meet, socialise, hold educational sessions and bring together all the different sectors of the community.

"Our hall will be built in Arkendale, but will offer facilities to residents across the local area. It really will benefit so many
people."

Big Lottery Fund head of the Yorkshire and Humberside region Caroline James said: "Arkendale Memorial Hall will be a fantastic asset. Buildings like this really are at the centre of daily life, bringing people together and increasing community participation and improving relationships. BIG is pleased to be funding such a worthy venture."

Arkendale's village hall will be environmentally friendly inside and out. It will be built from laminated logs requiring little maintenance and have energy-saving features such as water-saving taps and toilets. An efficient boiler will provide under- floor heating.

As a temporary measure the village Sunday school is being held in the local public house.

The new building, complete with fitted kitchen and social room, will give a fresh start to the Sunday school and provide a venue for the pre-school playgroup, yoga club and social events.