VALUABLE historical records of life in two York villages could be binned unless new storage can be found within weeks, it has been warned.

Haxby and Wigginton Local History Group has long stored its archives in Haxby Memorial Hall, but the hall has run out of space.

It has asked the history group to find alternative arrangements, but the group says it has not been given enough time to do so and faces having to bin material it has spent the past 15 years collating.

Both parties are now any local people or groups with available storage space to come forward to help.

Denise Moss, from the Haxby Memorial Hall Trust Committee, said: "Haxby Memorial Hall has for several years allowed Haxby and Wigginton Local History Group to store their archives within the hall.

"With the increased demand from many groups wishing to hire the hall over the last five years, so the demand for storage has grown. It is with regret that the Trustees of the hall have had to ask the History Group to find alternative storage elsewhere."

She said the committee was "shocked and dismayed" by a written reply from the history group, which said the archives may have to be destroyed if they could not be stored safely.

She said: "This was not only a great shock to the trustees that they consider this action would be their only option, but believe the local community would be shocked too."

Alan Young, from the history group, said: "They asked us to remove them by the end of the month. I think it's a ridiculous timescale but we desperately need somewhere to move to. Otherwise, we will need to destroy our archives and dump the cabinets."

He said it had been suggested that they pay to store the archives at a self-storage unit, but said they could not afford that without a huge increase in membership subs, which he said would lead to fewer members renewing.

Instead, the group hopes someone with spare garage space may come forward. The group is able to pay a small rent.

He said: "We are looking for an empty garage or someone who would be prepared to allow us to move our cabinets."

The group has three double cabinets and the archive includes display boards, old photographs, and documentary records including information about local men who served in the First World War.

Anybody able to help is asked to phone Mr Young on 019104 762234.