A VILLAGE community centre to replace Yorkley's 'Green Hut' is set to win big in a bid for lottery funding to help meet the £500,000 cost.

The current hall management committee say they have been successful in reaching the final stage of a Lottery bid which could enable them to replace the 102-year-old Village Hall, also known as the "Institute" or the "Green Hut".

Chair of the committee, Sharon Freeman, said: "The amount of work we have had to do in the last year has been staggering and many organisations give up before they get to this stage, so we are thrilled to win through to the final stage.

"We have been awarded £18,000 to develop our application and now have to appoint architects to work with us to submit plans and apply for planning permission by the deadline of July 18. It is a daunting task and we are up against stiff competition nationally from other worthy causes."

The final decision on all bids will be made by mid October.

"We would like to thank those who have helped, especially in the organisation and completion of the Parish Plan, and the villagers who attended the consultation weekend held last September, sharing their views and ideas," said Sharon.