DEADLOCK has been reached in a three-year saga over a new lease for the century-old community centre at Saltburn.

Coun Barbara Harpham, of Saltburn, has appealed for an end to the "impasse" over a proposed lease for the theatre and hall by owners Redcar and Cleveland Council and the town's community and arts association.

Roof leaks have been reported and scaffolding has been in place both inside and outside the twin buildings in Windsor Road and Albion Terrace.

Council cabinet member, Coun Dave Fitzpatrick, called it a "Catch-22" situation because until the lease is completed, the association cannot find outside funding for remedial work.

He said the council had offered a 30-year lease instead of the normal 21-year document. The rent would continue at a nominal £1 a year.

The association, which lets its premises to 15 groups and attracts 500 regular users, has spent £24,000 from its reserves, leaving them almost empty.

Philip Thomson, association chairman, said talks had been going on for more than three years over a new lease, but agreement had not been reached.

"We face a dilemma because the lease is written in such a way that we cannot secure funding," he said. "At least one grant-awarding body interprets it in a way that the council, as landlord, has a responsibility for the upkeep of the building.

"But the council says it does not. So in this instance we were unable to get funding."

Mr Thomson said that, meanwhile, the fabric of the building - a former Methodist church which a previous local authority took over in 1970 - had deteriorated.

He added that in 1999 the council asked that the building be listed.

He had written to the council to ask that it take responsibility for at least part of the building.

"We are disappointed at the length of time it is taking for decisions to be reached by the council."

Groups using the hall range from spiritualists to the Little Nippers playgroup. Others include a bridge club, dancing school, yoga, photographic society and Italian classes. The theatre sees drama, comedy and music events both from Saltburn's own 53 drama group and visiting theatre groups.

Coun Fitzpatrick said he had been shown round the community centre and felt its problems were not insurmountable.

"I would be more than happy to meet Mr Thomson again," he added. "He needs to understand that the council does not have a big arts budget. Already we support the theatre with £8,000 to £10,000 towards the performance programme. We have to lever grants from outside."