A PART of local history is to be preserved for future generations thanks to a major refurbishment scheme.

After 300 years, the Quaker meeting hall in Ulverston is having major refurbishment done that could cost between £200,000 and £400,000.

The hall, in Meeting House Lane, played an important part in the early days of the Quaker movement.

A refurbishment of the hall has been planned for some time according to Martin Riley, 80, an elder of the Ulverston meeting.

He said: "We looked at the building and thought about doing a major refurbishment, to bring the building up to modern standards of utility."

A building has stood on the site since at least 1538, but the hall was not used by Quakers until the late 17th century.

George Fox, founder of the Quaker movement, bought the building in 1687 then donated it to the Swarthmoor Friends.

Since then the hall has been used continuously as a meeting place for Quakers to worship.

Because of three centuries of wear and tear, the building has had to be repaired several times.

In 2008 the barn and meeting house were re-roofed, and in 2012 the lintel above the front door was replaced.

Most recently, phase one of a new renovation has taken place, with a support beam being replaced in the sloping gallery, and original wooden benches being refurbished.

In total the work has cost the group £27,000.

The next stage of work will see the hall redecorated, and aims to make the building as environmentally friendly and sustainable as possible.

Mr Riley said: "We don't own the world, we just borrow it. We have to pass it on in the best condition we can."

Last Saturday the hall was reopened by Ulverston mayor, Councillor Mark Wilson. There was a small welcoming service, and the mayor was shown the work that had been done to preserve the hall's interior.

In the new year the group will begin to raise money for the second phase of the hall's refurbishment