IF Preston has serious aspirations to become a city in the new millennium, it needs arts facilities worthy of the status.

That is the message from Preston Arts Association as they attempt to establish a community arts resource centre in the town.

Over the past four years, the association has been developing plans for an arts centre in partnership with Preston Council, Lancashire County Council, Preston College and University of Central Lancashire.

The proposed centre would provide theatre space, meeting rooms and facilities for people across the local community, from artists to musicians to animators.

Michael Lockwood, the association's Publicity Officer, said: "In terms of community arts, there's not a lot going on in Preston, especially when compared with big cities like Sheffield and Leeds. There are no dance companies, no theatre companies. There is a lack of resources."

Mr Lockwood thinks that local talent is being lost to the town as a result. "If you're someone like Nick Park, and you've got lots of good ideas, where do you go?" The Preston Arts Association applied to the National Lottery in December 1997 for funding of a feasibility study into the centre. However, the application was rejected, partly due to the changing rules of Lottery funding.

So do the people of Preston want a community arts centre? Mike Lockwood believes they do. However, he adds that a feasibility study is crucial to the project. "We don't want the centre to be a burden on the taxpayer. It has to be self-supporting."

The association will continue to work with interested parties in trying to establish the centre. Anyone wanting to help with the project can write to The Hon Secretary, Preston Arts Association, 14 Fulwood Hall Lane, Fulwood, Preston PR2 8DB.

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