A TEAM of Hampshire county councillors are urging a senior colleague to defer for a year her crunch decision on the future of the Tower Arts Centre in Winchester.

Margaret Snaith, senior executive member, is poised to controversially transfer the venue to Kings' School.

She will consider a report on the centre tomorrow.

The county council believes that the Tower will be made redundant once the Discovery Centre - which is set to have its own performing arts space - opens in Jewry Street.

However, members of the county council's Winchester Hampshire Action Team recommended that Cllr Snaith defers her decision to allow more time for consultation and research.

An online petition with about 470 signatures - including those of performers such as Gordon Giltrap - has been set up.