Trustees of a village hall have announced that it will close, leaving the parish council without its own meeting room and the community without its usual polling station.

In a newsletter to residents in West Tisted, near Ropley, hall trustee, the Revd Royston Such, said it would close immediately, pending rebuilding.

"Were the hall to continue in use, it would be necessary to carry out repair works, which are not justified in view of the intention to demolish and rebuild," he said.

But this new move, in a long-running feud, has angered residents.

Parish council chairman, Basil Lansdale, said: "At no stage has there been any consultation or discussion with the village about the closure or provision of alternative facilities during the closure which, if the plan is to rebuild, will be for some time."

He also said the sudden decision left him without a venue for the annual parish council meeting, which must be held by law.

"Fortunately, East Hampshire District Council has given authorisation for the meeting to be held in Privett Hall, in the next village, on this occasion," he added.

The building was also booked for use as a polling station for the local election on May 1st and the closure means other arrangements will have to be made.

Michael Lawther, head of legal services at East Hampshire District Council, admitted he had not been informed about the closure.

"The trustees seem to think they're going to have the new parish hall built by May 1st, which I think is astonishing. We will probably get a temporary building in, just in case it isn't ready."

The trustees had been due to go to Alton licensing magistrates next week, asking for permission to serve alcohol in the building, but this has now been dropped because of the closure.