PEOPLE at Wrentham are pulling together after thousands of pounds of damage to their village hall.

Villagers are planning a car boot sale on Sunday, March 27, to raise much-need funds for the building after a year of persistent vandalism.

Over the past 12 months, it has had windows smashed, guttering ripped down, and the electricity meter box broken. Damage has also been caused in the car park and there are constant litter problems. Now, in an effort to do something positive, local people are working together to carry out repairs.

The parish clerk, Angela Day, said: 'The vandalism has been gradually been getting worse over the years and we're left with the cost. It's very destructive. The police have been great at getting it under control and, hopefully, it's coming to an end. But we still have repairs to do.'

The hall recently had its guttering replaced after a grant from the Sole Bay Lions, she said, and villagers pitched in to help install new windows and doors.

'There's a good community spirit here and it would have cost a lot more if people hadn't helped out. But we still need to raise money.'

Mrs Day said she had lost count of how much damage had cost over the past year, but one window alone cost �1,500 to replace and there was a �1,000 bill to install new guttering.

Money raised by the table top car boot sale will go towards further repairs and upkeep. To book a table, �5, call 01502 675262 or email angela@daydream.freeserve.co.uk. Doors will open at 9am. Money made by selling items will be kept by the individual stallholders.