CRIMINALS are to be asked to help spruce up a public hall to make it fit to use for wedding receptions.

Castle Point Council is spending £10,000 to refurbish the Runnymede Hall, in Kiln Road, Thundersley.

The aim is to attract more business as a venue for couples getting married.

And the council is talking to Essex Probation Service about using offenders to do some of the work, as park of their community service.

Offenders could be asked to repaint the hall work as part of the refurbishment scheme.

New tables and chairs are arriving in mid-July and a new carpet has been ordered for the foyer.

The move coincides with the licensing of the council offices right next door, as an official civil wedding venue.

Council chief executive David Marchant explained: "Now we've got the registrar with us in the council offices, one of the things we're trying to explore is different uses for the hall.

"While it does good business as a wedding reception venue, having the registrar's office next door will make it better.

"The plan is to invest a little bit of money, in terms of furniture and carpeting. It's an ideal venue for wedding receptions."

The hall is also used for civic functions and is available for hire for functions of all kinds.

However, it is currently very run-down and in need of repair.

Peter Burch, councillor responsible for leisure and open spaces, said: "Runnymede Hall is an excellent venue in a central location and with good facilities.

"It is an important facility for community use, but it is starting to look a little dated.

"We hope with the help of the Probation Service and some new furniture, a lick of paint and some new carpet, we can make this an even more attractive venue, both for the council's own events and for residents to use for birthdays, weddings and other functions."