Users of one of mid-Norfolk busiest village halls were warned today that it would not be back in full action until later than expected.

An assortment of planned events had to be cancelled at Yaxham Village Hall, near Dereham, after problems arose during a routine refurbishment and spring clean.

As reported previously, chairman David Myhill said too much water on the floor of the main hall had caused the wood to buckle, lifting tiles in the process.

The team that runs the building was told it would need a complete replacement floor laid, and there were hopes the job could be completed just after Easter.

But now the contractors do not expect it to be ready until Friday, April 20, and Mr Myhill has decided to suspend bookings until the following Monday to allow for any last-minute hitches to be addressed.

Yaxham Village Hall is used for everything from whist drives and bingo sessions to dances, parties and car boot sales. Mr Myhill said his team would be reimbursed for the losses during closure and there was sufficient insurance cover, but he was sorry to have to turn their many hirers away.

'There is something on in the hall pretty much every day - sometimes we've got them morning, afternoon and evening,' he said.

The kitchen and a committee room remained usable despite the upheaval, and some groups had been able to use the nearby Church Rooms instead, he added.

Hall users wanting to check or confirm their booking arrangements can contact Mr Myhill on 01362 692593 or bookings secretary Muriel Meachen on 01362 695876.