A TOWN HALL is hoping to undergo repair works in time to celebrate its 160th anniversary.

Bellingham Town Hall is turning 160 this year, and the Town Hall Committee has applied to Northumberland County Council for permission for repairs and remediation works.

The proposed works to the Grade II listed building include repairs to the existing sliding sash windows, external doors, dance floor, performance stage and access staircases.

According to a design and access statement submitted alongside the application, all windows are "damaged and beyond working life". It said all windows will be fully stripped of paint, properly assessed, and repaired on a window-by-window basis.

The clock tower paintwork will also be renewed, in the same colour it is currently.

The clock was a gift to the community when the hall was built in 1862, from the four leading well-known Reiver clan families of the area; The Charlton's, Dodd's, Armstrong's, and Milburn's. The clock still has its original mechanism.

The Hall is used for public consultations, church and community fundraising events, plays by the local dramatic society, social events and private parties.

It also plays host to the Bellingham branch library.

For more details, visit the county council's planning portal and search reference number 22/00251/LBC