CAMPAIGNERS have demanded more time to come up with ideas which could save Darlington Arts Centre from closure.

The call was made during a Talking Together meeting held last night to discuss proposed council cuts.

Users of the centre asked council officers to allow a new community group the opportunity to prove it could run the venue.

And one person suggested using money that may otherwise have to be spent repaying an Arts Council grant to keep it open.

As part of the £22m spending reduction over four years, Darlington Borough Council has proposed to withdraw the subsidy from the Arts Centre and Civic Theatre. It could lead to their closure next year.

Cliff Brown, director of community services, said "soft-marketing" had already started with regards to the Civic Theatre. The Northern Echo understands two possible buyers have come forward.

However, the future of the Arts Centre remains uncertain.

Mr Brown admitted during the meeting that the sale of the land may not be as much as the Arts Council grant.

Paul Harman set up the group Darlington for Culture to protect the Arts Centre and Civic Theatre and has made saving the former its first goal. He said the group was interested in taking a five-year lease on the venue. He will hold a second meeting next week to formally establish a Community Interest Group.

"These are priceless assets which have been handed down to us. They don't belong to us, but to every succeeding generation, " he said.

Other ideas included closing the town hall to move the council chamber and offices to the Arts Centre, and bidding for more high-profile music acts to attract bigger crowds.

One supporter urged the council to have more pride in the arts provision it has established.

Mike Crawshaw, a council assistant director in leisure services, said: "This is far from a withdrawal. We are committed to preserving the Arts Centre and Civic Theatre, but we don't want to make any false statements."

Councillor Stephen Harker, whose leisure portfolio covers the Arts Centre and Civic Theatre, explained during the event that the proposals were based on a worst-case scenario - the council will not find out its Government grants until next month.

He said: "It could be a lot better and be back-loaded towards the last year or it could be worse and be front-loaded.

"We have had to come up with the worst-case scenario."