Plans are being drawn up for a new village hall at Wilcove near Torpoint.

The new building would replace the present hall which is situated on a small industrial estate above the ancient village.

The Wilcove Com-munity Association is busy raising funds for the project which could cost in the region of £150,000.

Association chairman Mrs Paddy Knott said: "The hall was given to the village at the end of the First World War by Sir Reginald Pole Carew of Antony House. It had been put up as a hut as part of HMS Defiance during the war.

"The association uses it for functions like barn dances, socials and parties."

John Carter, an association member, said: "The present hall is well past its sell-by date. It has a single skin wall and little insulation.

"We hope in the near future to have a new, slightly larger hall on an adjacent site. We are working on plans and costs and will be submitting grant applications. So far we have raised about £5,000."

The association is putting together a business plan and is being assisted by the Plymouth Business in the Community organisation.

The hall is well used. Regular activities include short mat bowling, WI meetings, keep-fit sessions, gardeners club meetings and handbell ringing. The last of these activities is carried out by the Wilcove Handbell Ringers using bells bought by men of the village at the beginning of the last century. The present group of around 12 ringers has been playing together for two or three years and last year won a prize for novice ringers at the Cornwall Handbell Championships in Truro.

Members of Maryfield Church, which is situated near the village, use the hall as does the Torpoint and District Twinning Association.