PLANS to build a £2 million state-of-the-art centre in Stourport to provide a much-needed arts venue for Wyre Forest have been unveiled.

The centre, housing a theatre with between 350 and 500 seats, rehearsal space and a gallery, as well as a caf and bar, would be developed on the Stourport High School site.

A task group - made up of representatives from the school, Wyre Forest District Council and Worcestershire County Council education and arts officers - has been working on the proposals for 18 months and is now awaiting the results of a feasibility study expected next month. Liz Quinn with the arts centre plans.

Headteacher Liz Quinn said: "It's really exciting. We had a tremendous amount of interest and support at a meeting last week with community arts groups. There's a real head of steam getting up."

She said the aim was to create not only a place where arts groups within the district could perform, but somewhere which would attract top touring companies.

She added: "There is a tremendous amount of interest in the arts in Wyre Forest. We have a lot of community groups doing great stuff but there is a need for a state-of-the-art performing centre.

"Malvern has an excellent theatre which attracts first-rate performers. Why have we not got something of that quality in this part of Worcestershire? There's certainly a need for it."

She said the task group recognised the centre would have to be partnership-based and funding would be sought from a variety of sources including the National Lottery and the European Union.

Ms Quinn added: "A bonus is the school already has experience in working in partnership - it is a major partner in Stourport Sports Club.

"There are all sorts of possibilities of developing a very similar project for the arts which could complement and support the sports centre."

She said the school had a proven track record of promoting the arts, having received an award for its arts-in-education development, while some of the infrastructure - such as a music block and car parking - was already in place at the Minster Road site.

She added: "We're extremely hopeful that we will soon have a plan we can take forward as a reality, not just as a vision. I'd love to see building start within the next 18 months."