THE West Kilbride Village Hall committee have been forced to put up hire charges due to energy price rises.

The group say that the continuing rising costs of gas and electricity has forced their hand - with further hikes to possible follow.

A spokesperson said: "The costs have been increasing steadily for everyone, none more so than the energy bills here. Our energy costs have risen quite considerably over the last six months or so and are set to increase again in April.

"We have managed to keep our hire charges as low as possible and no significant rises have been levied for a number of years.

"Regrettably, but in order for us to keep the hall running, we have no option but to increase the hire charges for the three spaces.

"We have considered all the various one off events and our regular lets to see where increases could be made but we have tried to minimise the price rise as much as possible and we will see how it goes.

"Unfortunately we may have to review the hall hire charges again later in the year depending on April energy price rise."

The price rises will be effective from April 1.