ONE of the little architectural gems of Teignmouth is rotting away because of a lack of proper maintenance.

Now the dwindling band of elderly volunteers who look after the fabulous plant collection in the mid-nineteenth-century Orangery in the grounds of Bitton House have had enough.

They accuse Teignbridge Council, the owners of the listed building, of failing an agreement to maintain its structure and exterior.

The Friends of Teignmouth Orangery want to give up the licence under which they run the timber-framed building, caring for the plants and providing stewards for the summer season when it opens to the public three times a week.

They say there are not enough volunteers coming forward, and this season will be their last.

'It is absolutely scandalous what is happening,' said Joan Felthouse, who will retire as chairman of the Friends at the end of the year, along with her husband John, treasurer.

'The shocking state of repair makes it impossible to look after the plants properly, and there are so many leaks my hair often gets soaking wet,' she said. 'You can put your hand through the wood, and there are pieces dropping off. The outside has not been painted for some time.'

The district council is now prepared to sell the Orangery to the Friends at a peppercorn price, but Mrs Felthouse said they would not 'touch it with a bargepole' because of the expense and work involved in repairing it.

'We are volunteers, and you are looking at spending between £40,000 to £50,000,' she said. 'But our other problem is that the committee is getting so small that we are not in a position to go on.

'Three committee members have died in the past year, along with our president, and soon we won't be quorate.'

For many years, Mr and Mrs Felthouse have worked six hours a week in the Orangery, hosing and watering, spraying, weeding and pruning.

The Friends also obtained a grant to install a new heating system to allow them to grow tropical plants.

'The Orangery needs two people to work in it on a regular basis, like we do now, but people won't commit themselves,' said Mrs Felthouse. 'We need replacements, ideally people who have retired early. It's ridiculous to have an 81-year-old in charge.'

She said that Teignmouth Orangery was unique, and that English Heritage could force Teignbridge to repair it.

'As far as I know, no other seaside town has an orangery open to the public free of charge. Teignbridge Council and Teignmouth get a very good deal out of it, but you can't run it while it's rotting away.'

Mrs Felthouse added that she hoped for a site meeting with all the relevant parties in July.

A spokesman for Teignbridge Council said: 'We are aware of local concerns about the Orangery, and discussions are ongoing with the Friends regarding the future of the building.

'These discussions will include investigating additional external funding options.'