PLANS to bring a well used 19th century building into the 21st century are beginning to take shape in Hatherleigh.

A notice in the town newsletter about plans to update the school rooms and an appeal for someone with the necessary skills to take it forward has provoked a response.

A retired architect living nearby has shown an interest in becoming involved in the project.

Sally Vick, who runs Hatherleigh?s Salar Gallery and is spearheading the project, said a list of work to be done was now being drawn up.

She said: ?This building was the old Hatherleigh Primary School for about 40 years in the 1800s and it is used a lot now for community purposes and the Sunday School, but it terribly needs updating.

?The walls are damp, a kitchen revamp is long overdue and the building is cold ? the better we can make the facility, the more enjoyment people will get out of holding activities there and more people will use it.?

The building is owned by the church and is used 20 per cent by church groups and 80 per cent by the community.

Mrs Vick said new regulations were coming into force in 2004 which would mean having to do some work on the building.

?We have drawn up a list of grant-giving organisations we will be approaching to see what financial help we can get as being linked with the church we are limited on where we can apply,? she said.

She added that she was very pleased a local architect had responded to the appeal and hoped that the plans would be progressed in the new year.