COMMUNITY groups in Waltham Forest face forking out or going elsewhere if councillors press ahead with plans to instigate massive increases in the hire charges for the borough's assembly halls.

They have also proposed to withdraw a special concessionary charging bracket reserved for small organisations such as community and youth groups.

Chingford Assembly Hall will be worst affected. Weekday (Monday to Thursday) fees will nearly quadruple from a minimum of £19 per hour to a daytime rate of £71 per hour, rising to £175 per hour on some evenings.

Walthamstow Assembly Hall also faces steep rises, with local groups paying £135 per hour from Mondays toThursdays - an increase of £83 - while to rent the hall on Wednesday or Thursday evening will cost £336.

Fees for both halls also skyrocket for weekend use, with the biggest rise in Walthamstow Assembly Hall. A £64 charge on Saturday before 5pm will be replaced with a blanket fee of £336 for all-day hire on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Local groups have reacted with outrage to the plans.

Mike Hayward, from Waltham Forest South Scouts, said the proposed charges are "so high that it will be impossible for small groups, charities and youth organisations to be able to afford the huge costs proposed".

Irene Bull, Secretary of the Chingford Village Festival, expressed horror at the rises and said that Chingford Assembly Hall was an essential venue for a wide range of social events.

She said: "Absolutely something has got to be done. There should be things put on. This could be alive and kicking. We are desperate for youth to be able to do things. Without that where is our society?"