A POPULAR tourist attraction looks set to have its weekend opening hours halved as part of a cost-cutting exercise.

Ormesby Hall, which is owned by the National Trust, will only open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays if the proposals are agreed.

At the moment, the hall is open from Friday to Monday for general visitors and Monday to Friday for school visits.

Ormesby Hall is the only National Trust property in the area and is manned by about 120 volunteers on different days.

But the plans mean up to three of the hall's six full-time staff could face redundancy.

Stephen Cornforth, property manager, whose job is under threat, said: "The main reason is financial. We are a very poor property and the trust feels it can save money by cutting the opening hours.

"I think it's a pity to have such a low level of National Trust presence on Teesside. It's a sad day."

Mr Cornforth said it was still only a proposal at this stage, but the changes would probably come into effect at the start of next season, in March. Visiting times for school parties would be unaffected, he added.

Doreen and Warwick Medlock have worked as volunteers at the hall for about 14 years.

Mrs Medlock said: "All the volunteers are upset about this. The feeling is this is the beginning of the end for the hall as a National Trust property.

"One of the things that upsets me is that the need for tourism in this area is always being plugged, and here is the National Trust proposing to cut it to two days a week."

She said visitor numbers had actually increased since the hall re-opened on Good Friday.

Mr Cornforth said: "I'm concerned for the volunteers, because they give an incredible amount of their time."

He added that the summer concerts held in the hall's grounds would not be affected by the proposed cuts, but events like the recent V E Day celebrations, which attracted over 1,000 visitors, and Monday's Peter Rabbit event, would not continue after this season.

He said: "The concerts are handled by an outside organisation, so they will continue, but the big events run by the hall will end because the number of remaining staff would not be able to cope."

The future running of the hall is likely to be managed in tandem with the National Trust's Souter Lighthouse, near Newcastle.