A group is on a mission to raise £70,000 to repair the deteriorating roof of a village hall – but a helping hand is just as appreciated.

The Meopham Village Hall management committee is aiming to replace the roof and modernise the building.

The hall, in Wrotham Road, is more than 100 years old and “past its sell-by date”, said vice chairman Trixie Leyshon.

Mrs Leyshon, 70, said: “Within five years, the roof will be no good at all and then the building will be unusable, so we’re starting now as it will take up a long time to raise the money.”

The committee is looking at setting up a possible Sponsor a Tile scheme, but it is fundraising ideas they are after to start with.

“Meopham Village Hall is the only one of its size in the parish, so there would be problems for hirers in finding a suitable venue within the locality,” said Mrs Leyshon.

“It is a vibrant and popular hall. Around 500 people a week come through these doors for clubs, weddings and events. If it went, where would people go?”

A new community building is being built at Judson’s recreation ground but will hold less than half the village hall’s 120-person capacity.

The trustees are also appealing for younger people to join the committee.

Mrs Leyshon said: “The trustees’ IT skills and energies are limited, so younger people will bring fresh ideas and certainly more energy to projects we would like to undertake.

“They are also more au fait with modern technology as most of us are just about capable of sending emails, and could help by sending off grant applications.”

So far the trustees have obtained a grant from Bryan Sweetland, county councillor for Gravesham Rural, out of a small council pot he has available for local needs. That must be used for administrative costs and the organisation of fundraising.

The hall also received a £500 grant from the parish council and £146 from Waitrose.