VOLUNTEER workers at Teesside's only National Trust property are angry about plans to almost halve its opening hours

The trust says the cut-backs are necessary to safeguard the future of Ormesby Hall.

Plans were announced last month to close the hall on Fridays and Mondays, leaving just Saturdays and Sundays for the public to visit.

The move angered many of the 120-strong army of volunteer workers, who felt that reducing the opening hours could lead to the popular attraction closing altogether.

It was also feared that up to three of the six permanent staff could be made redundant.

The gift shop within the hall will be closed and replaced with a stall.

The National Trust this week said that, despite going ahead with the reduction in hours, jobs would not be lost and the hall's future was secure.

A spokeswoman for the trust told the D&S Times: "The manager's post is being merged with those at Washington Old Hall and Souter Lighthouse, South Shields.

"The manager at Ormesby Hall will have to apply for the new post, but there are no other redundancies planned."

From the start of the 2006/07 season, in March, Ormesby Hall will be open to visitors on Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays, currently the property's most visited days of the week.

The spokeswoman said: "This does see a slight reduction in the opening hours, however the changes will enable the property to have a greater focus on learning and engaging with the local community on other days."

She said the hall's concert programme would not be affected and smaller events, such as the model railway weekend, family days and children's activities during the holidays, would continue.

But Hilary Moore, volunteers' co-ordinator at the hall, said she and colleagues were still not happy with the changes.

She said: "We changed our days this year to suit them and they are not giving it a chance to work.

"Visitor numbers are up, and they want to increase them further. But how can we do that if they are taking two days a week away?"

"Most of the volunteers are older and do a lot of other volunteer work. To many, weekends are sacrosanct for spending time with the family and grandchildren."

David Ronn, regional director for the National Trust in Yorkshire and the North-East said: "Ormesby Hall is very important to the National Trust, as it is our only property open to the public in the Teesside area.

"The changes at the property have now enabled us to secure its future, and everyone in the region will be working towards its success."

* Tickets for Ormesby Hall's Surfing USA Party Night, on Saturday, July 9, are available from the box office on 01642 316060.