A CAMPAIGN to save a Winchester arts centre is gathering pace.

The Hampshire Chronicle revealed a fortnight ago that the future of the Tower Arts Centre is in doubt.

The castle-like venue has been told not to book any acts after Christmas, because its main funder, Hampshire County Council, believes the revamped Discovery Centre library in Jewry Street - which is set to have its own performing arts space - will make it redundant.

The council is negotiating with Kings School over a transfer of the venue, but the school has declined to discuss its plans for the centre.

Now campaigners are staging a demonstration tomorrow (Friday) evening at 7.30pm, to voice their support for the venue's independence and its management.

They have support from Ron James, 87, the man who in the early 1960s, first saw the potential of the building as an arts venue.

Mr James was the Hampshire drama advisor when the Tower, having ceased to be a water reservoir, was crumbling away.

Mr James, of Sarum Road, Winchester, thought the building could be used as a drama space for schools, and pushed for its retention. It opened to the public in 1969.

"No-one else was interested in it but I saw the possibilities," he said.

"In those days there was little drama space in schools. Now there is and the Tower has evolved into a splendid arts centre.

"I shall be sorry if it closes, to see something go that is flourishing and something that I started."

Other voices are calling for the county council to think again. A former Tower tutor, who asked not to be named, said: "Does the county realise what a unique place and cultural gem it is?

"Its whole essence is its independence - it should be treasured not dismantled."

Demo organiser Lynda Banister said: "We really need to keep up the pressure over the next couple of weeks to have a chance of changing their minds."

The 180-capacity venue has hosted many performers who went on to become stars including Eddie Izzard, Jo Brand, Omid Djalili, Mighty Boosh, Sean Hughes, Dave Gorman, Al Murray and Benjamin Zephaniah.

Cllrr Ken Thornber, leader of Hampshire County Council, said: "While preliminary discussions with Kings' School are still in progress, the staff at the Tower arts centre have been asked to avoid taking any bookings for 2008.

"The school is hoping to continue to maintain a community arts programme of some kind at the Tower, as well as using it for its own purposes, but this still needs to be scoped out as it is early days yet. Some activities may well remain at the Tower and others transfer to the Discovery Centre.

"A report is being drawn up for the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage's Decision Day, and that's when any decisions will be made."

l An e-petition has been set up for people to sign at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/SaveTowerArts/