VILLAGERS were cock-a-hoop today after the Army stepped in to save a new village hall that has stood empty for 14 years.

Ryther Village Hall, near Selby, is still only a shell after funds ran out in 1990.

But the long wait is now over after the Ripon-based 38 Engineer Regiment agreed to step into the breach and complete the hall free of charge.

The desperate villagers contacted the regiment after their National Lottery grant bid failed.

Now 25 men from the regiment, which served in Iraq, will arrive in Ryther next month where they will spend two weeks transforming the derelict site.

More good news followed when the Army's generous offer triggered grants of £25,000 from Selby District Council and £17,500 from North Yorkshire County Council to pay for the materials.

Jubilant residents now plan to have the "hall that never was" up and running by March.

Village hall committee chairman John Murray said: "This is a big day for Ryther - the opportunity of a lifetime that we can't afford to miss.

"Youngsters will now finally have somewhere to go, especially during the winter when they end up on a cold wooden bench shivering.

"It will also be an invaluable meeting point for all the community. Some people in Ryther have never even met their neighbours."

The campaign to finish the hall was launched after two boys wrote to the district council, requesting somewhere to play basketball.

Mr Murray, an RAF flight sergeant, said: "I knew the Army sometimes supported worthwhile community projects.

"So I contacted 38 Regiment's Claro barracks, knowing the project was losing impetus and we were getting nowhere.

"It's been a long haul, but now we're within touching distance. It's a wonderful feeling."

Village hall press spokeswoman Rosie Hick said residents had raised £8,000, which would go towards the cost of materials.

She said: "The soldiers have already had a site visit and have planned the operation in true military style.

"We are desperate for this hall. The only facility we have is a pub. Children have to be bussed to youth clubs, some of which are ten miles away."

Updated: 14:10 Wednesday, December 22, 2004