RESIDENTS trying desperately to carry out much needed repairs to their village hall say they are being held up by builders failing to give quotes.

Middridge Village Hall, near Newton Aycliffe, is falling into disrepair.

A fund set up to raise money for repairs, which could cost between £20,000 and £50,000, has reached £2,000, but the Village Association Committee has been waiting since October for quotes from builders.

Association treasurer Doreen Sadler said the committee is getting frustrated because it cannot apply for funding until it has three quotes.

She said: "We have asked four builders for quotes and said that we needed them for the November meeting.

"So far we have received two. If the other two builders would provide us with quotes we could set the ball rolling."

Mrs Sadler said the committee wanted to approach local builders because they wanted the money to be spent in the local economy.

Among the work needed is retiling of the roof, double glazing and refurbishment inside.

Mrs Sadler said: "We have a long list of things that need doing. The hall is in a very bad state of repair.

"If there's any chance of getting these quotes before our meeting on March 6, please can we have them."

"We started a refurbishment fund two years ago and we feel we should be showing the residents something for their money by now. We are really desperate for these two quotes.''

She said: "We do not wish to show the builders in a bad light, it is the sheer frustration of not being able to move forward.