MORETON'S Redesdale Hall, which has been the centre point of the town since 1887, is experiencing financial difficulties and faces litigation for non-payment of bills.

The hall is run by a charitable trust, the Redesdale Hall Management Committee, made up of local organisations and members of town council and other local organisations from within the community..

It was built by 1st Baron Redesdale, Sir Algernon Bertram Freeman Mitford, grandfather of the famous Mitford sisters. It was bought by Sir Gilbert Alan Hamilton Wills, 1st Bron Dulverton, who gave it to North Cotswold Rural Council. It's successor, Cotswold District Council gave it to Moreton Town Council in 1974.

It is central to the town and is hired for public and private meetings, parties, sports clubs, exhibitions, concerts and sports clubs.

But details of its financial problems surfaced at a meeting of the town council recently when Cllr Michael Lucas, a member of the Redesdale Hall Committee, said the trust had asked for financial help.

He said the trust wanted help to pay for fire risk assessments and electrical and gas certification that had been carried out. The work had to be done for insurance purposes but the hall's income was not adequate to cover the cost.

It is not known how much money is owed.

"They have asked us to assist them in paying these bills. The Redesdale Hall charity is in litigation for a substantial amount of money and they are being taken to court," he said.

"It puts us, as a council, in a very difficult position. It is not a council matter, but I do feel we have an obligation to assist the charity as best we can. The work has been done and I propose we offer the sum they have asked for which is £1,000 as a loan at nought per cent interest and payable on 30 days' notice if necessary. It will allow the council to be a creditor if the worst happens and it does allow us to support them and allow then to run Redesdale. Insurance has been looked at but their insurers are not covering them," he added.

Cllr Lucas added it was important that the council was not seen as an open cheque book for charities in difficulty and this way was the most appropriate way of helping. "The worst that could happen is they can't pay us back. We, as a council, are responsible for the fabric of the building, not its commercial activities and it is not our responsibility to run it, but we have a moral duty that the hall remains open.

"A loan keeps us at arm's length," he said.

He added that the trust was expected to organise fundraising.

Chairman Cllr Tom Lewis said: "A loan seems the most sensible way of helping. It is a very sad situation."

Members of the town council voted to authorise the zero per cent loan with the stipulation that the money be repayable at 30 days' notice in required.