CONSERVATIVE and Lib Dem councillors have pledged their commitment to keeping the Sir James Hawkey Hall open.

Councillors on the area two committee vowed last Tuesday to unite in a bid to stop the venue in Broomhill Road, Woodford Green from being a casualty in Redbridge's budget cut.

The hall has been cited for possible closure as Redbridge Council battles to make up a £5million shortfall.

But speaking at the meeting, held at the Churchfields Drama Centre in South Woodford, councillors said that as long as the Lib Dem and Tory councillors voted against the proposal, the Labour plan would be defeated.

Cllr Peter Lawrence (Con) said: "I get so angry when year after year the Hawkey Hall comes up for closure, and at the senior council officers who keep proposing it. I have already expressed my concern.

"Officers will say, well how else will me make up the £80,000 deficit that the hall makes. We could do so by marketing the hall properly in the borough as an asset."

And Cllr Ian Bond (Lib Dem) said: "Every member of this committee has expressed their concern at this proposal, and I think members will fight this."