FOUR generation of the same family are celebrating a charity's success in winning permission to upgrade a historic grammar school building now used as a community centre.

The Whalley Education Foundation ( WEF ) now has the official approval for their proposals to enhance it for the future.

Ribble Valley Council has granted planning permission and listed building consent for the alterations to Whalley Old Grammar School built in 1725.

This has delighted WEF chair of trustees Terry Hill, 78 - especially as his daughter Julie Malone is the community centre's volunteer receptionist, granddaughter Jenny Panton is a teaching assistant at the pre-school housed in the building where her children Imogen and George are pupils.

The WEF has fully run and maintained the Grade II-listed grammar school building since 2013 using it for variety of community activities including housing the 50-year-old Whalley Preschool, running arts and crafts sessions, providing educational courses and hosting meetings of organisations ranging from the parish council to slimming and yoga clubs.

Two years ago the WEF, founded in 1914, devised a major improvement and expansion programme including replacing a run down 1930s extension, adding an outside play area to the preschool, installing a lift for disabled people and reinstating several rooms closed or run down in previous years.

Mr Hill, a former Ribble Vally Council deputy leader and councillor for Whalley, said: "This is great news that we now have permission to expand our activities and preserve this wonderful building for the future.

"The hard work starts now as we start to raise the estimated £100,000 plus we need to turn our dreams into reality.

"I am particularly pleased as four generations of my family are all actively involved as part of the dedicated team of volunteers and trustees who enable the smooth running of this whole project.

"I am chair of Trustees, my daughter Julie Malone is an active volunteer and centre receptionist, my granddaughter Jenny Panton is a teaching assistant at the preschool where her children George (three) and Imogen (four) are pupils

"I think this must be pretty unusual to say the least and is something I am very proud of. "

Julie said: "I am delighted. It is amazing especially as so many generations of our family are involved in the preschool and foundation."

Whalley Royal Grammar School originally established in 1541 over the Whalley Abbey Gate House and certified by Queen Elizabeth 1.

Its grounds incorporate the village war memorial.