PLANS to enlarge Witham Hall, Barnard Castle, at a cost of more than £6m have won strong support.

Dozens of residents have written messages backing the proposals since the blueprint was put on public display a fortnight ago.

Town mayor Councillor John Yarker wrote in a comments book: "This is just what the town has been waiting for. It will benefit not only the town, but the whole area."

Hazel Yeadon, who is involved with several organisations that use the 150-year-old hall, wrote: "It is just what is needed to take the building from the 19th Century to the 21st."

The remarks have delighted hall trustees, who spent four years preparing the project and are seeking planning consent from Teesdale District Council before applying for funding from the National Lottery and other bodies.

One trustee, Karen Tranter, said yesterday: "All the comments are much appreciated. After all our years of work it is pleasing to know that the public are so supportive of the scheme.

"A lot of them have been in to study all the details of the plans. It is good to see that they are taking so much interest, and to realise that they are in favour of the proposals."

Walls and a staircase will be demolished to open up the entrance foyer.

As well as space for activities for all ages it will have a cafe, information technology suite and a theatre for drama, music, fashion shows and other events.

It is hoped a start can be made on the improvements next year. The work will take two years to complete, but will be programmed so parts of the hall can stay in use all the time.