A HAMPSHIRE arts chief will today decide the future of the Tower Arts Centre in Winchester.

Margaret Snaith, county council executive member for recreation and heritage, is set to agree to the centre's transfer to Kings' School.

A campaign to save the centre in its current form was sparked following inquiries by the Daily Echo last month. An e-petition has gathered more than 600 signatures.

The move is being considered because the new Discovery Centre, which is replacing Winchester's main library in Jewry Street, will include a performance space.

Campaigners say that the likely loss of the centre management team and the building's unique atnmosphere will be a severe blow to the local arts scene.

County councillors are urging Mrs Snaith to defer her decision for a year to allow for more consultation and research.

Members of the Winchester Hampshire Action Team vented their anger over the way in which the proposal to hand over management of the arts centre to Kings' School had been "rushed".

Councillor Peter Mason, member for Bishop's Waltham, said: "I think this is all being done far too fast with not enough consultation all round. It should be deferred."

According to a report on the Tower's future, Kings' School envisages the Tower being run as part of its sport and community business provision and would still be used for community activities.

The school hopes to keep the annual children's festival, the battle of the bands, and classes run during the day. It also hopes to retain the gallery space to exhibit the work of local artists.

The castle-like venue has been told not to book any acts after Christmas, because the county council believes that it would result in a duplication of services once the revamped library reopens in Jewry Street in November.