Bakewell Town and Community Trust will take over running the 19th Century hall from the town council and has started work to reseal the Court Room floor and reopen its stage.

It hopes to access community grants which were unavailable to the council and major improvements are planned.

At a town council meeting on Monday, mayor Carol Walker said: "This is not an end but a beginning.

"Bakewell Town and Community Trust is already making a start on improvements and in the next few weeks more work and new furniture will be on the cards.

"These are exciting times for the town hall and members should be proud of their part in making it a premium community venue for Bakewell.

"I'm very relieved as I've felt in a precarious position, but by my way of thinking you all deserve medals," she added.

Cllr Walker has removed herself from all discussions about the hall over the last three years, as her husband David is trust chairman.

Mr Walker told the Mercury: "We congratulate the current town councillors for their perseverance and vision in making this agreement happen and look forward to working with them."

Bakewell's town clerk John Rowe said the lease would allow the hall to fulfil its potential as a top community events venue.