HOPES of turning an old railway carriage into a local community centre at Leeming Bar are pressing ahead.

Fund-raising is about to start for the project at the base of the16-mile Wensleydale Railway which has now been hauling passengers for more than ten years.

The Leeming Bar Residents’ Association, which is behind the railway carriage project, will be hosting a fair and treasure hunt in the village’s play park on Saturday, starting at 1.30pm.

The association’s chairman, Richard Moore, said: “We are hoping this event will begin the process of raising funds for the purchase and subsequent development of a railway carriage that can be turned into a local community facility.

“Not every village can boast a heritage railway and when one of our members came up with the idea of taking an old carriage and turning it into a space that can be used as a meeting place, crèche, youth venue, cinema, exhibition space, performance space, we thought it was a great idea that offers lots of potential.”

Weather allowing, the fair, to be held on Saturday, will include tombola, books/bric a brac, face-painting , cake sale, refreshments, a bouncy castle and plenty of games.

Entry is free although there will be charges to take part in the treasure hunt and some of the activities.

For further details visit lbra.org.uk or contact Richard Moore at chair@lbra.org.uk