ONE of the vale's best-known sons was the star guest at the launch of a major fund-raising effort for Pershore.

Top television comedian Alistair McGowan, who was brought up in Evesham, added a lighter touch to proceedings when Pershore Theatre Arts Association launched its bid to raise £1 million for a new arts centre - Number 8.

He told his audience: "Projects like this are just invaluable, especially in rural areas. I hope we can make this happen and make Pershore an even more attractive town than it is today."

The Grade II-listed High Street building is being given to the association on a 99-year lease by Wychavon District Council, which has bought the building.

If its plans come off it will become a major centre for the arts, with a 250-seat auditorium, a three-storey art gallery, dance studio, rehearsal room, bar area and several other uses.

Although money is already flooding in, the association now needs another £1 million to turn its dream into a reality.

Alistair McGowan is not the only star name the fund-raisers have on their side.

They've enlisted actress Helena Bonahm-Carter as their patron and she sent a message of support to the launch.

Andrew Clasen, chairman of the fund-raising committee, told last Friday's event at Wychavon Civic Centre: "We will have a marvellous and unique facility here in Pershore for the whole of the family to enjoy.

"The centre will bring in many more people to Pershore."

He explained: "It all started with Pershore Operatic and Dramatic Society, whose first production was in 1989. After several years they sought a permanent home."

Several feasibility studies later, the association decided that the centre was a possibility.

Mr Clasen said that more than 2,000 people went to see the recent PODS production of Me and My Girl at The Swan Theatre in Worcester and he added: "We could do so much more and so much better in a fully accessible location."

The building, which also has a courtyard leading into Broad Street, was built in 1780 and has served as a merchant's house, hardware shop and a Co-operative supermarket but since 1998 it has been the base of the arts association and its charity shop.

Architect Mr McMorran said: "One of the important things to remember about this project is that it hasn't started from nothing.

"There's huge activity already in the town and it is just wanting the right setting."

He said the aim was to create a unique building that blended well with the rest of Pershore.

A balcony will be added on to the front while the internal alterations would see an entrance way and the three-storey art gallery bathed in natural light.

The main auditorium will provide a versatile space, which could be used for conferences or as a large-screen cinema, as well as a theatre space.

Already the association has raised £680,000 and has planning permission for its conversion plans.

It has applied for a National Lottery grant of £500,000 and Mr Clasen said it was hoped to have the building open and operational in 30 months' time.