Queen's Hall is set to re-open to people in Burley-in-Wharfedale after a major redevelopment costing more than £250,000.

The historic building, which is used by a number of community groups, has been closed since September to allow the package of renovation works to take place.

But it is expected to re-open at the beginning of March and an open day is provisionally being planned for the end of February to allow local people to view the improvements. Organisations which want to use the hall will be allowed to make bookings from March 1.

Plans to turn the Victorian building into a modern youth and community centre were made possible after Bradford Council approved a funding bid for £277,000.

The scheme was put forward by the Youth Initiative Group, a joint venture between the Burley Community Council and Burley Youth Forum.

Proposals for the first stage included a computer room and coffee area, while the second phase involved a complete refurbishment of the main hall and new changing rooms for use by local drama, music and sports groups.

The most ambitious part of the redevelopment - to add a new glass front behind the building's two memorial crosses and the conversion of the main entrance into a kitchen, caf and buffet area - is expected to go ahead some time in the future.

The hall, was built in 1868, by the mill owners Fison and Forster, to provide a base for recreational and educational activities and since then it has proved invaluable to village life.

The refurbished premises is expected to be used by a wide range of organisations, including the youth club, which was previously based at Sun Lane until that building fell into disrepair.

Details about the scheme's progress and the anticipated opening times will be given to the Burley Forum tonight by forum member Elaine Thompson.

Mrs Thompson, who is the village contact with the contractor and Bradford Council, said she would give the latest progress information to the meeting.

She said work on phases one and two was underway at the moment and added: "We are not looking at phase three for the time being we are waiting to see what the reaction to the first phases will be."

She said bookings would be accepted from March 1 on the understanding that groups would look elsewhere if any problems cropped up with building work.

Mrs Thompson said it was hoped that the youth club would be base at the Queen's Hall although this still had to be discussed.

She added that young people had played a valuable part in helping the work to take place raising £2,000 by staging concerts.

"The teenagers in the village were really keen to help," she said. "They arranged performances by live bands and raised the money by selling tickets."

But she stressed that more money is still needed to allow all of the improvements to be carried out.

"We are still looking for donations because obviously even at this stage there are things that we will want to put in when we get the hall up and running.

"If any money did happen to be left over we would look at using it for phase three but at this stage we need all the money we can get for phases one and two," she said.

The forum will be held at 7.30pm at Burley Oaks School. Anyone wanting to make a donation, for items such as computers, curtains and additional furniture, for instance, can contact Mrs Thompson on 864684.