GARGRAVE Parish Council has pledged £9,000 towards a fundraising appeal by the village's Library and Resource Committee.

There has been a long-term battle in the village to keep the library open starting in 1998 with locals rallying round to find it a new home and save the facility from being relegated to a mobile unit.

It is currently based in the village hall, and although, North Yorkshire County Council agreed to give the library a temporary lease of three years there, it added this space was too small in the long term and an alternative needed to be found before this period lapsed.

In an effort to safeguard the library's future, the committee decided to stick with the present location, but draw up plans to extend the village hall to create space for a multi-use resource centre.

However, the estimated draft costs of the centre have been put at £85,000 and approximately half of that will have to be met by grants from outside bodies.

In order to obtain these, the committee has to demonstrate there is a community need for the resource centre and also backing for the idea. It will also have to raise approximately £28,000 from the public.

So far the committee has around £2,400 in the kitty and at a meeting back in March members said it seemed villagers had lost enthusiasm for a long term project and were satisfied to sit back now the library had been saved, albeit in the short term.

On hearing that the parish council was giving money, committee chairman Irene Greaves said the pledge had given a real boost to the fundraising appeal.

She said: "We are delighted by the news. It's a really good start for the project as we are just trying to pick up momentum once again.

"This is extremely important as in order to put in bids to major funders we needed to show that the village is committed to the project and this is an example of commitment by the village."

Chairman of the parish council Alan Simpson told the Herald that £1,000 had already been given to the library committee when it first set up.

He added: "This (£9,000) pledge is payable when the building work commences and if it is supported with other sufficient grants from other sources."

Mr Simpson said: "This shows the parish council is behind them with this project."

o Treasurer Colin Mason has stepped down from his position on the committee and anyone who is interested or has the expertise to take on this role should contact Irene Greaves on 01756 794526.