COUNCIL bosses said this week they were allow groups using the Red Cross hall, Williton to continue until the end of the year.

The Red Cross is expected to hand over the keys to the hall, in Killick Way, tomorrow (Friday), a spokesman said. But the news has not cheered society organisers.

A despondent Jean Hill, secretary of Williton Women's Institute, said: "It's not very good news.

"We will still have to move at some point."

As reported in the County Gazette last week, clubs and societies using the hall were thrown into turmoil following uncertainty over the venue's future.

A number of groups, including Williton Gardening Club, with a membership of 48, have been forced to look for alternative accommodation in the village, and the Red Cross and West Somerset District Council have been criticised for keeping organisers in the dark.

A meeting was held as the Gazette went to press last week between Red Cross and council representatives to sort out the confusion.

Terry Cuthbertson, area administration manager based at the Red Cross' headquarters in Taunton, told the Gazette last week he had written to all users of the hall in April advising them their tenure was safe until the end of the year.

Council spokesman John Thorne said: "We hope to have the keys in our hand by 4pm tomorrow.

"Where possible we will aim to honour the commitment made by the Red Cross to allow the use of the hall till the end of the year,where practical."