WOOTTON Bassett's Elizabethan town hall is in need of protection before the winter but the trust in charge of it does not have enough money to do the work .

The hall forms a focal point in the High Street. Four years ago it underwent major renovation which included restoring some of the exterior oak beams and the 15 supporting pillars.

Now town councillor Chris Wannell says the building has fallen into disrepair and needs urgent remedial work.

He said: "I am extremely concerned that the paintwork, which was done as part of the refurbishment, is fading.

"One of the cement panels between the woodwork has fallen off. There is rotten woodwork and the rest of the panels are cracking. They will all need remedial work before the winter to prevent further damage."

He also criticised the restoration, funded by the Conservation Area Partnership between the town trust, the town council, North Wiltshire District Council and Wiltshire County Council.

"I have been very critical of how the refurbishment work has been done. So much money has been spent, in excess of £80,000, which was supposed to make it A1," he said.

"The town trust is doing its best but has very little money and not enough to look after the town hall. The town council is the only one with the finance to look after it."

Wootton Bassett Town Trust chairman David Magill said he would be recommending to a meeting of the Wiltshire Archaeological Society next week that responsibility for the town hall should be transferred from the town trust to the town council.

"It obviously needs attention but we have very limited funds," he said.

Mike Jackson, from North Wiltshire District Council, said: "We did say to the trust to use limewash and Stockholm tar for the exterior. It's not just decoration but also weatherproofing With these materials work needs to be done every three or four years and that's why it may be looking shabby."