A fire-ravaged Burley-in-Wharfe-dale landmark will soon re-open thanks to a "magnificent" fund-raising effort by the village.

The Roundhouse, a listed building in Grange Park, suffered thousands of pounds worth of damage in a suspected arson attack back in April.

That left Burley Community Council (BCC) facing a £28,000 bill and, even after receiving insurance money for the main structural repairs, still needing to raise another £4,500 to replace the building's rotten window frames.

But now, only a month after launching an appeal, the group has collected all of the money and more, with a £2,000 precept grant from Ilkley Parish Council taking the total to £6,500.

BCC chairman Bruce Speed said: "We've had a huge response in a very short time and to get this much money from the village is quite staggering.

"We are all ready to do the windows now, which are ordered, and the furniture, along with some changes to the outside which will allow people to sit outside the Roundhouse and enjoy a tea or coffee on a nice day.

"I knew that the people of Burley loved the Roundhouse as a centre of local history, but once again I am amazed by the generosity of our community when BCC asks for their assistance."

BCC Treasurer Mike Harris was just as pleased. He said: "We are very grateful to the many residents of our village who gave sums both large and small to this appeal, and to local organisations including the Parochial Church Council, Burley Bridge Association and local company Findel plc who have all made significant contributions.

"We also applied to Ilkley Parish Council for assistance from the local rates precept and I am pleased to say they have agreed to our request for £2,000 of support."

A popular coffee house as well as meeting place, the plan now is to re-open a Roundhouse which is in even better shape than it was before the blaze.

The new glass is to be laminated, to try and prevent vandalism and break-ins, and some trees and shrubs will be removed from outside the building to further improve security.

BCC Projects manager Tom Sumner said: "The additional funds raised by the appeal will allow us to replace the existing, smoke-damaged and rather inflexible tables, chairs and other furniture with items meeting the needs of all the local organisations that use the building, both during the day and in the evenings."

Fund-raising efforts to help the appeal included some of the youngest members of the village, reception class pupils at Burley Oaks School, holding a 'refreshments tour' for their parents.

The Roundhouse should be ready to reopen in around six weeks.