CIVIC leaders in Winchester are calling on the government to solve a funding crisis facing village and community halls in the district.

Winchester MP Mark Oaten, parish leaders and residents' groups say the halls can no longer rely on lottery handouts and council donations.

Now they are appealing for the government to put aside more cash for the vital facilities in its community fund.

Mr Oaten has written to the Minister for the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to demand action to address cuts in funding.

He said: "These organisations underpin much of the indispensable voluntary activity that goes on throughout the area. They are particularly important in providing social contact for those who can often feel isolated within the community, such as the elderly and those with young families.

"The government needs to do far more to help these vital establishments."

Alan Weeks, chairman of Winchester Residents' Association, is supporting the MP's demand.

He said: "The government should recognise the importance of these halls to community life and should do more to help them."

One of those halls facing problems is Cheriton village hall.

Ray Salter, chairman of the village hall committee, said the facility is used every day by groups such as theatre groups, children's playgroups and the Women's Institute.

However, he gets no government funding to support the hall, which needs renovation work, health and safety upgrades and is also in need of some infrastructure repairs.

A Defra spokesman said the government was aware funding for village and community halls was a problem, particularly dealing with the paperwork necessary to make an application for money, and that it was looking at the issue closely.