VILLAGERS in Sedgefield have been warned that their parish hall will have to be replaced - and could cost £1m.

New regulations mean the 100-year-old hall no longer meets acoustic, disabled access or health and safety requirements.

Hundreds of villagers attended a meeting called by the town council to resolve the problem

Spokesman Bill Hopps said the final building may cost close to £1m but it may attract grant aid.

He said: "Preliminary contacts have been made with potential sponsors and, of course, we will be applying for grant aid from big organisations like the National Lottery, but we also want the people of Sedgefield to feel involved and committed to fundraising in small ways, such as buying a seat in the new building."

The location of the hall is to be finalised, but possibilities include the present parish hall site, perhaps involving collaboration with the library, and land adjacent to Ceddesfeld Hall, home of Sedgefield Community Association.

Visits are planned to gain advice and information from similar successful local projects at Bishop Auckland and Waterhouses Village Community Centre, which recently gained new premises.