CAMPAIGNERS fighting to overturn a decision to transfer the running of the Tower Arts Centre, Winchester, to Kings' School, are considering a complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman.

Their concerns were hightened this week when it emerged that Kings' School admitted that it would not be able to subsidise the Tower to the same level as the county and city councils.

The £100,000-plus grant from the city and county councils allows the centre to run its highly-regarded evening performances of music and comedy.

But Kings' headteacher Sue Lawrence said: "I would like to keep as much of it as I can. I don't want the Tower to lose its ethos and its individuality.

"But at the end of the day I have to make it sustainable, and I can't take £100,000 a year from the school budget."

She said she wanted to retain and expand its community use as a base for adult education classes, Children's Festival, the Blue Apple Theatre Company and the Battle of the Bands.

"This is not going to be an extra classroom. It will definitely be for community use," she said.

"We already have purpose-built art, music and drama rooms.

"We are all very excited about taking it over. What a shame it would have been to have closed it down.

"It would have been a travesty."

Hampshire County Council last week approved the plan to hand over the Winchester arts complex to the school, a specialist business and enterprise college.

But campaigners and backbench councillors are still angry at the lack of public consultation and say the decision should be put on hold.

The Conservative council has said Winchester Discovery Centre in Jewry Street will host arts and music events once it is open.

More than 700 people have signed a petition to save the Tower Arts Centre, one of four council-run arts venues facing the axe, since the plan was first revealed to the public just weeks ago.

Campaigner Alistair Marsden, who lives in Stanmore Lane, said: "We are considering all the options - both calling-in the decision and a complaint to the ombudsman.

"My fundemental concern is that we keep the Tower Arts Centre open because it is such a valuable asset to both Winchester and Hampshire."

Cllr Peter Chegwyn, Lib Dem opposition spokesman for recreation and heritage, said a complaint of maladministration could be made to the independent local government ombudsman to investigate.

He said: "The council failed to consult ward councillors, let alone members of the public, and did not listen to the views of the arts review panel or Winchester HAT (Hampshire Action Team)."

Cllr Chegwyn claimed calling-in' the decision was "a waste of time", as the ruling Conservatives were in the majority on the scrutiny committee.

He added: "They have most of the votes and will just rubber stamp it."

Kings' School will take over the centre in January 2008.

Another campaigner, Lynda Banister, said she would not give up the fight.

She said: "The public reaction has been immediate and powerful. People are saying they are astonished, outraged and horrified'."

Cllr Margaret Snaith, executive member for recreation and heritage, was not available for comment.