A DARTON vicar is determined to turn the newly refurbished parish hall back into the social focus of the village.

Father Reynolds of the All Saint's church is calling on all Darton, Kexborough, Woolley Colliery and Low Barugh residents to decide how best to use the building.

It was closed from the end of June last year until the middle of April after being flooded three times in nine months.

Fr Reynolds told the Chronicle the building was a wreck and no-one could use it. He added: "Before it closed, the facilities in the hall were used by a lot of young people and community groups, so for the best part of a year there was nowhere for them to go."

Now it has had a complete refit to bring it back up to standard and costs to repair the damage totalled £100,000, which was paid for by insurers. He added: "There is an urgent need to send out the message that Darton is up and running once more after last year's terrible floods, and I am anxious to see the parish hall as a place that can attract people into the centre of the village.

"We already have a number of groups ready to use it including karate, keep fit and a dance school, but I'm keen to hear the views of locals who may have other ideas and hopes."

Anyone with ideas or who wants to help should contact Father Reynolds on 384596 or e-mail frsimonreynolds@btinternet.com