A PUBLIC meeting is to be held to discuss the future of a Teesdale community centre.

The meeting will give organisations and the public a chance to discuss the findings of a recent study into the future of Witham Hall, in Barnard Castle.

The survey was carried out earlier this year and commissioned by the Barnard Castle Mechanics' Institute, the Witham Hall Community Association and the Castle Players.

The results of the survey, carried out by Leeds-based company Create, shows that the future of the Witham Hall, in the town's Horsemarket, is a major concern to dale residents.

More than 50 per cent of the thousands of people in Teesdale who were contacted as part of the study, outlined their ideas on the community centre's future role.

The response to activities, including questionnaires, discussions, workshops, focus groups and interviews, has been described as astonishing, in a report on the survey.

One of the most popular responses was that the hall should be used as a base for local theatre group the Castle Players.

The preferred option for the building's future was that it should be redeveloped, maintaining the look of the building, combined with the construction of a new small-scale venue on adjoining land.

Now the public can find out more about the survey findings, as well as voice their opinions on the future of the hall, during the public meeting.

Jill Cole, of the Castle Players, welcomed the report and urged people to attend the meeting.

She said: "This is not just about providing a base for the players, but about creating something of real benefit for the whole community.

"It is vital people continue to be involved and to make their opinions heard."

The meeting will take place in the main hall at Witham Hall, on December 1, at 6pm.