A £100,000 appeal is about to be launched for the refurbishment of an Otley church.

Better space for young people, improvements to the toilets and kitchen areas and new disabled facilities are all part of the plan for Otley Methodist Church.

Ken Brumfitt, church secretary, said the changes would bring the church into the 21st century. "Since 1996 we have been looking at ways of developing the church premises and to move it into the 21st Century," he said.

Many of the proposed changes to the Grade 2 listed, 125 year old building will mean better facilities for younger people.

The youth club room will be refurbished, a quiet room set aside and improvements made to the church's pre-school and mums and toddlers room.

A property project team has been working on the plan since 1996 and on Monday, at a meeting at the church attended by many church users, the scheme was approved.

Now, the team will talk to architects and designers to put together a planning application. The church hopes to improve the Walkergate entrance to the building and to make it somewhere for parents waiting to collect their children who can wait in comfort.

Mr Brumfitt added fundraising would start straight away with the first organised event a talk by Everest climber Doug Scott at Yeadon Town Hall on November 26.

Tickets for the event at £7 for adults and £5 for students are available by telephoning (01943) 464196.