A FINAL push to help make a £1m state-of-the-art headquarters for voluntary groups in Southampton got under way this week.

Business leaders, city Itchen MP John Denham and mayor councillor Brian Parnell attended a fundraising lunch at St Mary's

stadium yesterday.

It was arranged by Southampton Voluntary Services which hopes to build the Voluntary Action Centre in St Mary Street as part of the inner city's regeneration programme.

About £750,000 has already been raised for project, with £250,000 still needed. It will be home to scores of voluntary organisations and is expected to open next

summer. It has been funded with regeneration and National Lottery cash, and will feature counselling rooms and training suites, as well as IT facilities and an exhibition area.

Chris Hammond, from Southampton Voluntary Services, said: "We are three-quarters of the way there.

"Now we face the last hurdle. That is to raise the final £250,000 that is needed to make the building a reality."