Work has started on a £117,000 project to revamp the headquarters of a Scout group.

On Saturday, Sir Jimmy Savile will unveil a foundation stone for the work at the 2nd Otley Scout Group building in Craven Street, Otley.

The group is also planning to use the occasion to bury a time capsule filled with photographs and memorabilia.

The event will mark a milestone in the work on the building, which has been occupied by the Scout group since 1976.

The group has spent several years raising the money for the refurbishment project at the building, which is more than 100 years old and had ageing kitchen facilities and outside toilets.

Builders are hoping the work will be finished in June and the group will then set about fitting out the interior of the building, which will be called the Chevin Community Centre.

As well as the Scouts, groups of Beavers and Cubs will also use the new building, as will a host of other community groups in the area. Group secretary Peter Young said the improvements have been desperately needed for some time.

“It got to a stage where it was time it was done,” he said.

“It was an old mission hall from about 1904 and it’s served the community pretty well.

“But gradually the number of people wanting to use the hall has dwindled because it’s just not in a very good state.”

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