VILLAGERS may have to dig into their own pockets to keep their community centres running.

They are being told that, if they value what they have, they must pay extra on their council tax to keep their halls open.

The bitter row over the withdrawal of a £23,000 community education grant from Darlington Borough Council - rubber stamped in October - has ended in a stalemate.

Wednesday's annual meeting of the Darlington Association of Parish Councils with borough officials brought the perceived rural-urban divide to the surface again.

Coun Brian Jones of Middleton St George said: "We are being asked to precept to replace grant aid for village halls.

"Why should we? If we are being asked to do this now, is it going to be a precept for street cleaning and lighting next. £23,000 is a small amount compared with all the money being spent in urban areas."

Gail Bowen, assistant director of education, said that from next April, the money would be channelled into specific youth projects, such as the Blitz buses, which also visit rural areas.

But Coun Jones replied: "Community centres are used by the elderly, brownies and guides, who are not covered by the Blitz buses, good as they are."

Barry Keel, chief executive, maintained that the Blitz buses did benefit the whole community, by helping nip in the bud anti-social and drugs problems at an early stage.

The Mayor, Coun Doris Jones, who chaired the meeting, said: "I understand there are alternative grants for buildings, but not the running costs of a village hall. If there is something out there, we would like to know about it."

Coun Frank Richardson of Low Dinsdale Parish Council said 100 residents had petitioned against a precept increase to keep Middleton St George Community Centre going.

"Our village hall is going to close if we don't get funding from somewhere. That is a sad state of affairs."

Coun John Williams, leader of Darlington Borough Council, denied that it had any hand in actually closing down halls. "If they are such a valuable asset, the people you represent would be prepared to keep them. If it is not of value, presumably people have taken the view that they will not support it.

"If you do decide to precept in Middleton St George, it would be about 8p a week .