TOSSIDE has won the lottery, scooping a £181,000 grant towards its new village hall.

It's the second piece of good news for the village, with planning permission granted for the new hall just last week.

The success of the project is down to the enthusiasm and support of the village which has a population of just 300.

Members of Tosside Community Link, a charity which has led the bid, are now hoping for a hat-trick of good luck as they await a decision on European funding which will meet half the cost of the £440,000 project.

The new village hall will be the third built on the same site, but the first made of stone.

The facility is home to thriving community groups including indoor bowlers, dancers, whist teams, two youth groups and church organisations.

Community Link secretary Eddie Runswick said: "We are very fortunate in Tosside, it's a great community.

"We have had an influx of families over the past couple of years and when we have the new hall we hope to establish a playgroup.

"We have been helped considerably by Craven District Council which put us top priority for European funding and their officer, Hazel Smith has been great. It's been an incredible job over the past 18 months applying for the funding, but all being well we will be able to start work in May or June."

The building will have a main hall, meeting room, kitchen, bar, storage facilities, cycle rack, outside table and disabled access.

The Lottery Commission, which awarded £181,207 in total said the project would provide a much-needed community facility in a rurally isolated area.

A spokesman said: "The new building will provide a range of services and activities which will help reduce the isolation the recent foot and mouth crisis brought to this community."