A village hall has been closed temporarily to allow for urgent repairs to prevent a window collapsing.

Bressingham Village Hall, on High Road, is currently surrounded by metal railings with signs warning 'Danger, in a state of collapse.'

However, Ken Webb, a supervisor at the hall, said the situation was not as serious as the signs suggested and the problem related to one window, which was suffering the effects of water damage.

He added water had seeped into the wall around the gable window due to the effects of 'wear and tear,' and this problem had been on-going for some time, but had now reached the point where action needed to be taken.

Mr Webb said an internal wall needed to be built to prevent the window from collapsing, which he hoped would be completed over the next four weeks as no groups had booked to use the hall with many people being away on summer holidays.

He added provided the work could be completed during that time period, the hall would be open again for use by organisations and sports clubs, such as yoga and mothers and toddlers groups, drama and ballet, football clubs, petanque and netball teams.

'It is just wear and tear over a long period of time. It has been suffering this water ingress for 10 years.

'It has got to a point where something has got to be done about it and we have got to try and raise some money from somewhere,' Mr Webb added.

He said the work could cost £10,000 or £20,000 and was complicated by the fact the 400-year-old building is Grade II listed, which places restrictions on the work that can be done.

Mr Webb said: 'The signs have caused some panic, but the structural engineer said the window is not in imminent danger of collapse and we are still open for business.'

Have you been affected by the hall's closure? Email dominic.bareham@archant.co.uk.