A GROUP set up to study the heritage of a remote North Yorkshire hamlet is being relaunched with the help of a 10,000 lottery grant.

Ilton, near Masham, was once a thriving community on a drovers' road from Lofthouse, in Nidderdale, but as trade diminished in the last century, it lost its pub, shop, smithy, school, Wesleyan chapel, bus service and tannery.

Ilton Community Heritage Group was established to explore and record the area after a group of residents successfully campaigned against an attempt by BT to remove a telephone kiosk in 2005.

It was set up with a 5,000 lottery grant and professional support from community archaeologist Kev Cale, and other experts.

A 10,000 grant has now been received from Awards for All to relaunch the group with a range of free activities and to attract new members.

On May 3, from 10am to 1pm, there will be a guided walk around Ilton, led by Mr Cale. On May 8, from 7pm to 9pm, an inaugural meeting will be held in a converted byre at Manor Farm to welcome new members and outline plans for the coming year. These will include a programme of guided walks with Mr Cale.

There will also be fortnightly meetings at Manor Farm to discuss and record findings. There will be opportunities to work on archives and record memories of present and former residents of Ilton.

Members include professional photographer Gary Keat and resident David Mayoh, who has made a name with his watercolours of the area.

More information is available from iltonheritage@tiscali.co.uk.