SUPPORTERS of a planned multi-million-pound arts centre for Dorchester say they are drawing up plans to raise cash to get the project off the ground.

The Maltings arts centre would be at the heart of the redevelopment of the former Eldridge Pope brewery site.

Members of West Dorset District Council gave the green light last week for the Brewery Square scheme, which will also see a cinema, hotel, shops, fountain, solar-powered railway station, restaurants, flats and houses, including nearly 200 affordable homes.

Supporters of the arts centre envisage the building being coverted to include a possible 450-seat theatre, music studios and a gallery. The cost could increase or decrease depending on the sophistication of the final plan.

They are hoping people will get behind them and help raise the money needed to get the ambitious project off the ground.

Clive Gameson, chairman of the Dorchester Arts Action Group, said: "It's wonderful news. The new arts centre is just what Dorchester needs.

"We are now considering ways in which to raise the money.

"We need between £5 million and £6 million, I believe. It's quite a lot of money, but we are confident that it will be raised.

"We are looking at various sources of funding and are hoping that people will get behind us. Everyone we have spoken to has been extremely positive."

He said that potentially the arts centre could draw an audience from a catchment area of more than 200,000 people.

"We hope that with the help of the arts centre Dorchester will become a new centre for the arts for the whole county - or at least the west side of the county."