A MASS protest is being planned on Tuesday to draw attention to a funding crisis threatening the future of village and community halls across the country.

Organisers from the National Village Halls Forum are concerned about a reduction in lottery funding for a service they believe lies at the heart of life in rural England.

They want the government to create a designated lottery fund for community hall projects to counter an annual shortfall of £17 million.

Members of the National Village Halls Forum are calling for supporters to join the day of action to help publicise their case.

Forum chairman Freda Shaw said: "Village halls are vitally important facilities and nowhere more than in rural areas already suffering from poor public transport, because they provide a centre for a host of community activities.

"As other essential services like shops and schools close, such community buildings become even more important as a focal point for people. It's a subject that's been completely overlooked in the recent debate over countryside issues."

During the day of action, the forum's national executive committee will meet ministers at the House of Commons while representatives of local committees will stage a mass lobby of parliament before pressing the case to their own MPs.