RESIDENTS in Terrington St Clement are being asked for suggestions to help transform the village’s old school.

After 10 years of negotiations, the building has been bought by the Hugh Kerkham Charity and it is hoped National Lottery cash will help pay for its refurbishment.

The building, on Churchgate Way, belonged to the Parochial Church Council (PCC) and will still be used by the village church on Sunday mornings and for festivals.

The school became the church hall when a new school was built in the village in 1931.

The PCC encountered legal problems with the Charity Commission when it wanted to sell the building to the Old School Community Heritage Project seven years ago.

It couldn’t sell the property for less than the best market value so the PCC applied for a change of use to residential to achieve this, but the school was never sold.

The building, first constructed in 1818 by public subscription, was Grade II listed in 2001 and is in a conservation area. It was bought by the PCC in 1952.

The village’s Hugh Kerkham Charity joined forces with the heritage trust to form an association which would meet the legal criteria.

The charity has stepped in with �60,000 to buy the building which it will lease to the heritage trust.

“Now that we are in a position to bring this building back into use, ideas would be welcomed from the community as to what facilities they would like to see,” said Bryan Howling, project chairman.

The building will include a history research centre and the Heritage Lottery Fund has recommended a teaching element.

“The PCC is very glad that the building’s future is assured and restoration can go ahead,” said the Rev Robert Slipper.

The trust is planning a public presentation to explain its ideas for the future of the building.