IMSBURY WI is to close in December after 83 years.

A dramatic decline in membership is the reason behind its demise. But the WI is hopeful that another nearby long-established organisation Michelmersh Silver Band will take over the soon to be vacant Timsbury WI Hall.

Timsbury WI was formed in 1923 and the branch used to meet in Timsbury Hut not far from the hall the organisation now use.

The present hall, built in 1928 will be sold off to any organisation or group in Michelmersh and Timsbury that is interested in retaining it for a suitable community use.

Timsbury WI president Mrs Millie Warwick said it will be a sad day for the village when the branches folds but there was no other option available.

"We only have six members and can't get people to join. We can't keep going like that. We don't get money from jumble sales to fund things like we used to. Years ago there was nowhere else for women in the village to go and they belonged to the WI. Now they have all got cars and people travel all over the place," said Millie, who is in her eighties and been the Timsbury WI president for 20-years.

At the moment Michelmersh Silver Band uses the WI Hall several times a week and Millie is hoping the band will buy it -ensuring it is still used by a village organisation when the WI disappears into the history books.

Millie said: " To my knowledge, the band is the only organisation to express an interest in the hall. It's a better place for them than the one they have now."

Vice chairman of Michelmersh and Timsbury Parish Council, Peter Pritchett-Brown, also agrees, "The WI Hall would be suitable for the band and it would ensure it stays in the village. The band is 120 years old and the longest serving organisation/ club in the village and it would be a great shame if it had to move out," said Mr Pritchett-Brown.

The trustees of Timsbury WI - Lyell Fairlie and Simon Attlee - have invited organisations to contact them if they are interested in taking the over the hall.