AN electric fence should be put round Derriads Lane Barn, near Chippenham, to protect it from vandals while money is raised to turn it into a community hall, says a councillor.

The 18th century listed building has been vandalised over a number of years, all the windows are boarded up and the walls have been badly damaged.

North Wiltshire District Council has committed itself to refurbishing the barn, and says money needs to be found to do the work.

It estimates it will cost £650,000 to bring the building up to scratch and says a fence will ensure it does not deteriorate further while all the money is obtained.

Tory leader Coun Toby Sturgis suggested the fence should be electrified and at a meeting on Tuesday night councillors agreed it should be looked in to by council officers.

The council decided to set aside £20,000 for the fence around the hall at the meeting and it is hoped a fence will be in place in the next few weeks.

Jane Scott, the councillor for Derriads Lane, said 2,000 people live in Cepen Park North and South, as well as Derriads Lane, and all would benefit from the hall.

"The council's decision was important because we need more time to find funding to turn the barn in to a community facility," she said.

She said some money has already been put aside by the council and Beaver Homes, which has built houses in Derriads Lane, has offered to give £50,000 towards the project.

She said she will also be pushing the council to put aside a sum from its next budget in April.

"It is indicative of the problem on that side of town that vandalism has been caused because youngsters do not have anywhere to go," she said.

"I hoped my fellow councillors would see sense and they did, they realised how important this is.

"We need something now and I would like to succeed in getting the money together as soon as possible."

Coun Christine Crisp said Beversbrook Farm, near Calne, which was also a listed building, had no fence around it and had to be pulled down after it was was set alight three weeks ago .

"By putting money forward here we are at least making an effort to secure it," she said.

Derriads Lane Barn was originally part of Derriads Farm. The district council bought it last year for a token cost of £1, with the promise of using it as a community facility.

An unsuccessful application was made two years ago for Heritage Lottery Funds to help pay for the work needed on it. Coun Scott said this had set back fundraising.

Following a public meeting last year a management committee was set up and is working with council officers and the charity Community First.

Coun Scott said Derriads Lane may become part of Chippenham in three or four years time when a review of local boundaries is finished and Chippenham Town Council may then help with funding.

But she said the hall was needed sooner. Coun Sturgis said: "It will collapse unless we do something.''