VILLAGERS in Crossgates will be "very pleased" to receive rock hard currency with more than £440,000 coming their way due to an extension at a nearby quarry.

The community council will be given £12,000 every year, potentially up to 2060, to "offset" the impact of the work which can be spent on good causes and improvements.

Local firm Colliers struck the deal with Fife Council which will see them continue to dig deep at the stone quarry at Goathill, east of Crossgates.

Maureen Cuthbertson, from the community council, said: "We did speak to Fife Council when the quarry plans first went in and said the community has to get something from this.

"There have been plenty of other times when Crossgates has missed out so the fact the money is coming directly to us, I'm very pleased and I'm sure the community will be very pleased too."

She added: "Duncan Collier (who runs the firm) lives here and he's already given us substantial amounts over the years.

"He's contributed towards the Christmas lights and parade, and the woodlands too, if he can help he's there for us and we're very grateful."

Collier Quarrying and Recycling received planning permission from the council in 2010 to extract stone at Goathill, at Easter Bucklyvie.

Initially for 15 years, the consent has now been extended to 2060 with the firm agreeing a restoration bond of £902,000 and pledging to repair any damage to the B925 road verges caused by quarry traffic.

The high-quality stone from the quarry is used for roads while the firm supply aggregates, sand and concrete that's used for construction and housebuilding projects.

Maureen said: "The money is going to be a big help, no doubt.

"We've still to see the details but I would imagine it will be an application process and groups within the village will be able to put in for it.

"We've been involved with the Christmas lights, treats for older people and getting defibrillators, so maybe the money will mean we can improve things and get projects done a bit quicker.

"We can't rest on our laurels though and must continue to do our other bits of fundraising."

One cloud on the horizon is the future of the community council itself which is now "in limbo" and may be wound up in November.

Due to the lack of volunteers coming forward to fill positions, it will reduce the number of meetings per year from 10 to four and move into a 'caretaking' position.

And a notice warned: "This position cannot continue indefinitely and the committee wish to make villagers aware that after the November meeting, if there has been no change in this situation then the current committee will have no option other than to step back and disband the community council."

Maureen added: "I'm hoping it won't come to that and we can get something a lot stronger going forward but every area seems to be struggling for volunteers just now.

"Crossgates is expanding all the time and a lot of families have moved in.

"We really need younger people in their 30s and 40s coming forward to join. If the community council goes it will be a huge loss."