As many as 26,000 people a week use rural village halls across Cumbria, a survey by Cumbria County Council and Voluntary Action Cumbria has revealed.
The survey, carried out earlier this year, asked all 325 of Cumbria's rural village halls about usage, building condition and facilities, finance and management.
Forty per cent of the 197 village halls which responded said usage was on the increase.
The survey also found:
Village halls are used by a wide range of users, but the most common were parish councils, Women's Institute groups, bowling clubs and dance classes.
Funding came from a 60 separate sources, but the most common were neighbourhood forums, parish councils and district councils.
Average village hall income was £4,264 and average expenditure £3,352. But only 75 per cent said they were breaking even or better.
One in five said income did not cover expenditure and almost a third of halls are in need of significant repair or major renovation.
Two thirds of rural halls said their facilities were underused.
Roger Bingham, county council spokesman for culture and communities, said: "Throughout the county village halls have been part of community life from the cradle to the grave and have made a tremendous contribution to people's lives. They are full of colour and local history - the hall at Far Sawrey is 400 years old and the average age of Cumbria's village halls is 97.
"This survey shows that rural halls are generally well used and that demand is growing at many. But the research also shows that the future is uncertain with many management committees finding it hard to get younger people involved. This survey will help everyone concerned understand what is going on and what needs to be done to safeguard Cumbria's rural halls for the future."
Carl Glynn, rural support officer and village halls adviser at VAC, said: "The survey shows that the majority of halls are self-financing when it comes to day-to-day running costs, but any type of major capital expenditure can really threaten their futures.
"The results have helped form my work programme for the next two years by identifying issues faced by halls, such as governance and help with changes in legislation."
The Village Halls in Cumbria report will be launched at Voluntary Action Cumbria’s AGM on Friday, 9th September, at Thirlmere Recreation Hall.
The full report and executive summary can be seen at www.ruralcumbria.org.uk/villagehalls or http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/ruralmatters/working/village_halls.asp