REFURBISHMENT work at the Mackarness Hall, Honiton, has forced Hospiscare to cancel five events at the venue.

REFURBISHMENT work at the Mackarness Hall, Honiton, has forced Hospiscare to cancel five events at the venue.

Two of the events were due to take place earlier this month, but were scuppered by improvement works to the hall's toilets.

Now the charity's local branch has announced three further events will not be taking place - bargain sales on February 6 and 16 and a supper evening on February 23.

"The loss of these will make a huge difference to our fund-raising," said Hospiscare Honiton's chairman, Eileen Rooke.

"The hall is scheduled to re-open on March 1 and we hope people will support our next bargain sale, which will be held on March 2.

"Other events planned include a lunch in the Mackarness Hall on March 16, followed by another bargain sale on March 20."

Mrs Rooke added: "We are asking everybody to grow plants and cuttings for our annual big plant sale, which will take place at Honiton Baptist Church on May 22."

Work is being undertaken at the Mackarness Hall to make it fit for purpose before the venue is handed back from East Devon District Council to the Church of England.

The council has leased the building from the church for a number of years.