GOVERNORS of a Kirkby Lonsdale school have reassured residents that their new sports hall will be open to the public.

Concerns were raised at the recent Sedbergh and Kirkby Lonsdale Neighbourhood Forum that townspeople would not be allowed to use the new hall at Queen Elizabeth School, which is due to open in about three weeks' time.

Chairman of the parish council Coun Alan Day said: "The parish council is most concerned that none of us can use it yet one of the conditions of getting planning permission was that we could use the hall, that is was for our benefit."

He said a conversation with one of the governors had led him to believe there was a problem over the school charging customers VAT.

"If someone was building a building that size and it was going to be for the community use, they should have looked into any problems over VAT before," said Coun Ann Ward.

But after the meeting, chairman of the school governors Ty Power told the Gazette the school hoped the sports hall would be available for use by the community, as were the school's other facilities.

Problems had arisen, he said, because the hall was funded by a Department for Education and Employment grant and built solely to meet the needs of the school.

"There are complications regarding the use of the facility by third parties.

We are currently seeking clarification," said Mr Power.

He added: "It is the governors' intention to allow maximum usage by the community but we know everyone will understand that we need to cover our costs while working within the rules."