SKIPTON scouts have taken the first step in making their town centre headquarters accessible to all.

The 5th Skipton Parish Church group has recently installed ramp access to ‘The Dump’ - its headquarters, off The Ginnel, Newmarket Street.

The group, which three years ago marked its hundredth anniversary, has a series of projects planned to make the building fully accessible, and open to the community.

The new ramp, which means people in wheelchairs can access the building, has been made possible thanks to a £18,000 grant from Yorventure , which distributes grants to community and environmental projects across Yorkshire.

In Skipton, it has contributed to projects in Skipton Woods, and to the Lytham Close play area.

Help also came from the Rotary Club of Skipton, Myers Building Supplies and Merrit and Fryers, while the scouts themselves raised £6,500 through fundraising.

The group’s Scout Leader, Colin Hunter said; “This ramp is a great first step towards creating an inclusive space for young people of Skipton and we’re hugely grateful to everyone who has contributed to the project”.

The ramp, designed by engineer Adrian Bould, is the first in a programme of works to modernise the groups dilapidated headquarters.

There are also plans to add an accessible toilet and wet room, shower facilities and catering kitchen.

The building is currently used for three evening scout group meetings, and it is hoped it can in the future be used by a wider section of the community, possibly for meetings, training sessions, small concerts, children’s parties as as a rehearsal space.