INSPECTORS have told the borough council to shut down a sports pavilion for more than a month while investigations into its state are carried out.

Mapledurham Pavilion in Upper Woodcote Road is facing six weeks of assessments after a structural engineer the south facing wall is deteriorating.

It's unclear how long the pavilion will be closed for, but Reading Borough Council hope to have a more definitive answer once the six-week investigation is complete.

The engineer recommended the hall, kitchen and store rooms be temporarily closed while investigations and assessments continue.

The changing rooms will remain open however to allow football and other activities to continue.

A spokesman for Reading Borough Council said: "The council will be contacting the groups which regularly use Mapledurham Pavilion to try and help them find alternative venues.

"We would like to apologise to users of the building for the inconvenience and will keep them informed of any further developments.

"The council had been working closely with local groups involved in fundraising to replace or refurbish Mapledurham Pavilion. However, the refurbishment plans were put on hold pending proposals for a new free school in Caversham from the Education Funding Agency, which have not yet been received. "