A COMMUNITY campaign to make Brompton Regis village hall fit for the 21st century is hoping a glimmer of financial hope on the horizon will turn into hard cash.

Planning consent for a new kitchen and toilets was given two years ago but the renovations hit the buffers when West Somerset Council withdrew the promise of a £70,000 grant towards the £144,000 cost of the scheme after revealing its financial problems.

Since then the hall committee has been trying to secure major funding for the project at a time when securing grant aid for community buildings has been difficult.

But at a public meeting in the village last week, local groups and residents were told that the committee had been asked to submit a full application for Local Action for Rural Communities funding.

Committee secretary Jenny Stringer said although not guaranteed to be successful, the LARC scheme represented a glimmer of hope during the long slow process of raising the money needed to pay for the improvements.

The tiny community, which is fully behind the refurbishment, has already dipped into its pockets to contribute £30,000, which includes a a £6,000 donation from Brompton Regis Parish Council.

"The local lunch club has donated more than £2,000 but the village has pulled together in events such as Guy Fawkes, gymkhanas, barn dances, coffee mornings, sponsored walks, jumble sales, fund days, raffles and bingos," said Mrs Stringer.

"Although the LARC scheme will not provide all the remaining funds, the committee hopes to attract other organisations, such as Exmoor National Park and the Countryside Agency, to bolster the fund."

Meanwhile, local people are keeping the fundraising train on track with a blitz of forthcoming events, including a silent auction, Christmas bingo and dance and a 'sponsor a block' deal.

Mrs Stringer added: "It is regrettable that West Somerset Council, which receives money for rural issues from central government, has been unable to find any financial support for this isolated community in its endeavours.

"Repeatedly we have been told that the authority has no spare money, despite last week's news that it can fund overspending of £211,000 on its new council offices.

"We are determined to see this project through, not only because our community deserves a hall fit for the 21st century but because so much effort has already been made towards achieving that goal."