CHILDREN will be offered the chance to vote on their favourite design for a £1.5 million community hub after the four finalists in a pioneering international contest submitted their entries.

The Royal Institute of British Architects competition, which is the first to be funded by the government’s Homes and Community Agency, to create a community centre and sports pavilion for Sessay and Hutton Sessay, near Thirsk, has seen entries from designers in Japan, Guatemala and Australia.

The four shortlisted entries, from two London and two Edinburgh architects, include one two-storey and three single-storey designs.

Two of the designs are linear, another is a courtyard design, while the other has been described as “squarish and barn-like”.

Parish council chairman Councillor John MacPherson said all four designs were impressive and that he had been delighted with two of the entries, following an initial examination.

From December 27, the 400 residents living in and around the villages will be able to vote on which of the entries they like best.

Parish council chairman Councillor John MacPherson said: “We are giving the whole community the opportunity to view the designs and vote for their favourite one.

“Everyone is welcome to cast a vote by visiting the village hall in person — there is no age limit.

“Schoolchildren will have an opportunity to vote at Sessay School on Tuesday, January 6 — it is important that they also have a say.”

The votes will be used by a panel of judges, led by designer Wayne Hemingway, as one of the factors in selecting the winning when it meets on January 8.

The winning proposal will replace the early 1970s village hall, which has become costly to maintain, with a building that is sympathetic to the village’s heritage, which includes houses built by 19th century architect William Butterfield.

It will also provide a second cricket pitch for the village’s cricket club, which won the National Village Knockout Tournament at Lords in 2010 and has a strong following with a large junior section.

The scheme follows the production of a Community Plan for the villages after an extensive consultation with residents.

The designs will be on display at Sessay village hall from December 27 and competition details and voting slips will be available on each of the viewing days.