A ROPLEY artist has made an impassioned plea to keep the Tower Arts Centre, Winchester, open.

Jennifer Taylor, who together with friend Joseph Field is holding an art exhibition at the centre later this month, said it had been a big part of her life and that its demise will leave a large gap.

Mrs Taylor, said: "I'm going to be very, very upset if the centre closes because it's been a really big thing in my life for about 20 years. I've been through a lot in my life and it's been my creative outlet.

"It's not only an art studio but it's an entertainment venue. It's informal, it's relaxed and there's some cutting edge stuff there too. We need it. It's great for young and old people.

"Everybody I know that uses the Tower feels the same. They the authorities say the new library will provide facilities but it's going to be a pristine new building, they won't want messy people like artists and sculptors there."

The 63-year-old said the subject of her paintings was human life and that she often drew inspiration from pictures in newspapers. The paintings on display at the Tower Arts Centre will be large oil and acrylic paintings on canvas or board.

The exhibition begins on Monday (October 15) and lasts for a month.