CALLS for a 21st century performance venue in "talent packed" Thornbury won overwhelming backing from almost 200 people at a special public meeting in the town this week.

Leading lights from the local arts scene came together and declared that the need for new facilities was urgent and becoming desperate.

Theatre stalwart and former Marlwood School head of drama Barbie Davies told the meeting that when it came to the arts, Thornbury deserved much better.

"In sport, the town can hold its head high," she said. "But in the arts, we have to hang our heads in shame.

"Thornbury has grown hugely in the arts world but sadly its facilities have not kept pace."

The curtain has now gone up on moves to equip the town with a state-of-the-art community arts building - with a possible price tag of between £3million and £7million - on council-owned land at the old Rock Street cattle market site adjacent the town's planned new community building.

On a show of hands, not a single person at the meeting was opposed to the scheme and only eight indicated they had doubts.

Now a steering group is to be set up to look further into how the project can be funded. It will look at ways of ensuring the centre's long-term sustainability by making it available for non-arts events including meetings, conferences and wedding receptions.

Almost 50 people have already offered to devote time and energy to turn the dream into a reality, possibly within seven years.

The move has been spearheaded by a new group, Arts and Community in Thornbury (ACT), comprising Miss Davies along with Northavon School of Drama principal Lyn Bedford and former arts festival artistic director Philip Darley.

"This is the beginning of long process, the end of which will be the opening of a new building," said Mr Darley.

"Thornbury needs better facilities, not only to attract visiting performers but also for all the local people involved in various arts activities in the district."

Discussions with numerous local groups had revealed huge demand for a highly flexible new venue suitable for music, drama, dance and exhibitions.

"Time is moving on and we are going to have to hurry," said Mr Darley. "Other groups have been speaking to South Gloucestershire Council about the site - one of them with money in its pocket."

Ms Bedford said the Armstrong Hall had served the town well but, at almost 40 years old, it was now cramped, ill equipped and inadequate in numerous ways.

"We now need a bigger group to take the next step," said Mr Darley. "We shall need people who know about performance but also management and administration. We shall be talking to the councils and main groups in the area. A lot of effort will be needed to raise the money."