ANGRY campaigners have given North Wiltshire District Council a month to come up with plans to revamp Malmesbury Town Hall.

The building at Cross Hayes desperately needs upgrading and a £1.2million renovation scheme was hatched by the town and district council.

The Friends of Athelstan Museum are trying to increase the size of the museum in the refurbished building.

But they only have the next four-weeks to submit a £200,000 lottery bid to have any chance of hearing the result before renovation work begins in August next year.

Friends chairman Roger Griffin has accused the district council of dragging its feet and said his demands for an explanation have fallen on deaf ears. He said: "I am extremely upset by the attitude of North Wiltshire District Council. I first wrote to them in September. I asked questions at an open executive meeting and the only response I have had is one officer would be in touch; that was three weeks ago.

"It is very disheartening for people who have been working hard putting a lottery bid together."

Financing the renovation has been a headache for planners since the scheme's inception. The district council has promised to put up £600,000 with the rest raised from letting free space.

The success of the venture was put in doubt when Wiltshire College pulled out of talks to lease the Wesleyan Chapel at the back of the building. The college, which is struggling with a £1.8million deficit this year, said it could not afford to commit to the £300,000, 25-year lease. The £200,000 lottery bid is an attempt to plug that hole. The need to raise cash has placed pressure on planners to reduce community space, which could be let.

The town hall has one of the few large spaces for people to meet in Malmesbury. Community groups were outraged when plans revealed by the district council in May halved the available space from 500 square metres to 260 square metres. The council said it would consult on proposals in June but since May nothing has happened.

Leader of the district council Ruth Coleman said: "Discussions over budget commitments for the year ahead are continuing and we will be unable to confirm the budget until they are set in February."