A PUBLIC hall in Sutton has launched a massive fundraising drive to pay for improvements.

New heating, windows, flooring, and disabled access are on the shopping list for St Thomas's Hall, on the village's main street.

The fundraising campaign kicks off with a black-tie summer ball on June 21. Hall bosses then hope to secure grants to pay for interior renovations.

Groups such as karate, Weight Watchers, line dancing, toddler group, ballroom dancing and tea dancing use the hall every week.

Both primary schools in Sutton use the hall for PE, and the building is heavily used for parties, concerts and other one-off functions.

Sutton Amateurs - which left in the late 1990s after the ceiling collapsed -- moved back for their 2002 pantomime.

Now the group has made firm bookings until spring 2005.

Stuart Robinson, from the hall's management committee, says each of the planned improvements is likely to cost several thousand pounds.

He said: "Almost every weekend the hall is being used. It's become very popular. It's mostly local groups but we'd like to see touring performing arts using it.

"Because the village hall has become so well used by such a wide range of groups, we believe it's important to raise the profile and expand the facilities."

Improvement work began recently with the redecoration of the supper room and the re- flooring of the adjoining kitchen.

The committee wants to refurbish the stage, improve the entrance foyer, rebuild the kitchen and install new central heating and double-glazed windows.

It would also like to provide a new floor and seating in the main hall, and possibly an outside play area for the children's groups.

Mr Robinson said among the most important improvements would be disabled toilets and full disabled access to the building.

He added: "Structurally the place is sound -- it just needs a facelift."

While preparing to apply for grants, the St Thomas' committee is organising its own fundraising events.

The summer ball will begin at 7.10pm - the exact start of summer - and will have a carving buffet and music from local band Pentagon.

Tickets will be sold over the next few weeks for a grand draw, which will be drawn during the ball.