A community hall has been pushed to the brink of closure by vandals.

The trustees of Shakespeare Hall in Newhaven are battling to raise £10,000 for a new boiler before next winter.

But they have had to dip into their savings to repair windows smashed by yobs.

Windows have been broken three times over the past two months and it cost £300 to have them repaired.

They are now expecting a further bill to replace the children's toilet windows which were smashed last Sunday night.

About 500 people use Shakespeare Hall every week, including members of Nippers, an out-of-school club and holiday playscheme.

Judith Ost, a local councillor, said the centre, in the Fort Road recreation ground, would be too cold to use during the winter without heating.

She said: "The current boiler is 35 years old. It just about made it through last winter but it won't last another one.

"There is no way we will be able to remain open without heating.

"There will be a big impact on people if we have to close. It will affect not only the people who already use the centre but those who might want to use it in the future. It is a vital resource. The play scheme and out-of-school club enable families to go out and do the things they need to do in order to survive."

She said the vandalism was a further blow which the fund-raisers could do without.

Coun Ost, who recently resigned as chairwoman of the trustees so that she could lobby the district council for funding, said: "The centre is quite remote, which is one of its main advantages. It means the children can make lots of noise without disturbing anyone. Newhaven Youth Marching Band use it for their practice sessions too.

"The downside is that it is out of sight and as a result we have had this problem with vandalism."

The centre, originally built as a boys club, is home to two karate clubs, a body combat club and a short tennis club.

A country and western club and a dog-training group also meet there.

Groups which use the centre have also raising money, including the marching band which recently held a street collection.

The trustees know that however hard they try to raise the cash, they will not reach their target in time for winter unless they receive help from a larger organisation.

They have applied for grants from the town council, Lewes District Council and East Sussex County Council and are waiting for a response.