VOLUNTEERS who run a village hall have run out of patience after vandals smashed windows four times in less than a year.

They are offering a £50 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those causing the damage in Gainford, near Barnard Castle.

Details of the reward were included yesterday in a parish newsletter delivered to every house in the village.

Bill Goyder, secretary of the hall, said: "We are really sick of this repeated damage. It takes only seconds to lob a stone through a window and run away, but repairs can be extremely costly.

"Even if we don't get information about who has done the damage, we hope the reward will make the vandals have second thoughts about carrying out this dreadful anti-social act any more."

The hall was already facing money problems before the damage started, and has had to pay about £24,000 to have the heating system renovated.

The building has suffered from occasional vandalism in the past, but this is the first time the hall committee has offered a reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible.

Anyone with information is asked to call PC Keith Poulton at Barnard Castle police station on (01833) 637328.

Mr Goyder said: "We sometimes get young people from other places roaming around at night, so the vandals may not live in Gainford. Wherever they come from, they have to be stopped."