Calls have been made for urgent action to save a historic grade II listed former North Yorkshire school amid fears it is being left to fall into wrack and ruin.

Generations of children went through their education at Richmond Old Grammar School, which was originally set up in the 14th Century with a schoolhouse near St Mary’s churchyard. The school moved into the grand Gothic building that became its final home in 1850, and was the centre of learning for thousands of local children, originally as a boys' grammar.

It stopped being a school in 2011 and there were high hopes the imposing building could be turned into a community hub serving the people of the town. But a £1.8m bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund failed in June 2019, and since then nothing has been done.

It was owned by Richmondshire District Council which has now ceased to exist being absorbed into the new North Yorkshire Council.

Former old boy Dr Malcolm Scobie, who lives in Somerset, was appalled at the dilapidated state of the building when he recently returned to the town. He is campaigning for it to be saved and has written to Richmond MP Rishi Sunak suggesting he could help.

Dr Scobie wrote: “I was appalled to discover the terrible condition of this once beautiful old school building.

"I find it difficult to believe that such a fabulous building has been allowed to stand empty and deteriorate. And I am sure many others who have a connection with Richmond and our old school will feel the same.

"I am told that in the past there have been attempts to save the building and refurbish/repurpose it as a community centre, and I understand that, as the local MP, you have been involved in such attempts.

“The current condition of the building is parlous and, if it is to be saved as a community asset, urgent action must be taken sooner rather than later. Can I beg you to again become involved and lead the drive, which I am sure would emerge from the local community, to resurrect this once glorious building.”

Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust launched the bid to convert the old school into a community venue, raising money through local councils and residents but said it could not carry on with the scheme after the lottery bid failed four years ago.

A spokesperson for the new North Yorkshire Council said: "The Old Grammar School in Richmond is one of the many buildings that has transferred to the new council and its future will be considered as part of our future use strategy. However we are aware of the importance of this building locally and will respect that in any future plans."