Classes and groups using an East Yorkshire community centre are facing a five fold hike in hire charges.

Burnby Hall, in Pocklington, which is a popular venue for exercise, art and craft classes, has raised its rates from £10 for a week-day morning to £50.

One organisation, Pocklington Scrap N Chat Group, which meets to practisespaper craft once a month on Saturdays, has already been forced to find alternative accommodation.

Kate Wadsworth, 65, who founded the group, which has about 12 members, said she used to pay £35 to use the space from 1.30pm to 5.30pm.

She was quoted £115 as the new price for this by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

Mrs Wadsworth was told that an added charge of £41 had been applied for use after 5pm.

However, the council has subsequently said it would not be available after 5pm, so the charge would not apply.

But even then, the cost of hiring from 1.30pm to 5pm would be £74, more than double last year’s price.

Mrs Wadsworth said: “It was a huge shock. We are not a commercial enterprise. Burnby Hall is like our village hall, except that it’s owned by the council.”

When she contacted the council to query the sharp increase she was told it was because there had not been an increase in ten years.

She said: “I totally understand if things have gone up. They can’t run at a loss, but why hasn’t it increased in ten years? It’s bad management and it has come as a tremendous shock and we have had to find another venue.”

The group is now meeting at a room in Pocklington Methodist Church. A spokesperson for East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: “We are standardising the charges to be more consistent with other venues.

“Under the old pricing structure the hire of the room did not cover the costs to the council and this is now being reviewed at venues throughout the East Riding.”