A SCHOOL has unveiled ambitious plans for a £1.5m state-of-the-art performing arts centre.

Brookfield School in Sarisbury Green is hoping to have the combined drama, dance and music centre open to pupils by September 2004.

Head teacher Mark Roe believes the centre will be a big asset for the school.

He said: "Music and drama is a big part of the school curriculum here and this centre will not only benefit our pupils but also the community, as this will be open to them too.

"This project is something we have been allocating money to for the past seven or eight years. The difficult decision for our governors was whether to devote the money towards the performing arts or sport, but it was decided the arts centre should come first."

The news will also be music to the ears of residents whose complaints over the noise made by the school bands prompted Fareham Council to serve a notice on the school telling it to tone down rehearsals.

Mr Roe said: "We are extremely grateful to the residents for their patience. The new centre will be in the middle of the school campus, which is away from our neighbours. It will also be fully insulated with architectural acoustics."

The two-storey centre will boast new music rooms, a large drama studio for an in-house acting academy, dance performance area, six practice rooms and a large ensemble room.

Head of drama and dance Mike O'Brien said: "This will be a first-class facility so the pupils can work to their very best.

"We will also be able to invite touring theatre companies so the pupils can work alongside the professionals."

The plans have also gone down well with pupils.

Matthew Casson, 14, who plays percussion in the school samba band, said: "Having a performing arts centre will be great. At the moment we have to practise in quite cramped rooms and carrying the drums about from room to room is quite hard."

Band mate Christie Bushnell, 13, added: "Because of the complaints from some neighbours we have been practising in rooms away from them so it will be great when we get a proper centre because music is really popular in the school."