USE it or lose it — that's the stark message from Exbourne's village hall committee, facing a cash crisis despite recent grant payouts.

The hall has been upgraded with a new kitchen, stage and other improvements thanks to grant-funding — but the committee are now seriously worried about day-to-day running costs.

John Stoneman, hall secretary, said: 'We are running out of money year by year, the bank balance that we carry forward is falling away. If we had a bill tomorrow for £150 we probably couldn't pay it — we really are cruising along just on a knife-edge.'

Mr Stoneman said the committee is trustee of the hall on behalf of the charity commissioners. If the situation got so bad that outgoings were not being met, the hall would have to be given back to the commissioners — it could even end up being sold off.

He said the committee felt residents in the village and surrounding areas did not realise the ever-increasing cost of running the hall — currently around £40 per week.

Even statutory requirements like fire inspections have risen steeply in cost.

'We are trying to heighten public awareness to the state of the finances, so people will use it more and be prepared to contribute more,' said Mr Stoneman.

'It's an uphill struggle — people have seen we've had big grants and assume we are fine, but that's not so. We can't use those grants for running expenses — they've put the hall in better shape, and we fully expect that will pay in the long term with increased usage.

'In the short term we are stuck,' he said.

The committee has increased hire charges in an effort to combat rising costs, but Mr Stoneman stressed the fees for using the hall are still very competitive.

In the meantime, he encouraged people to support events and welcomed fundraising ideas which would benefit the hall and the local community.

'We are not going to give up — if we are to keep communities like Exbourne we do need a hall,' he said. 'Christmas is coming and we just have to keep going.'

Anyone interested in hiring Exbourne Village Hall, joining the committee or with bright ideas for fundraising events should contact John Stoneman on 01837 851686.