HEXTABLE is one step closer to boasting the south east's first regional centre for contemporary dance and performing arts.

A grant of nearly £2m from the Arts Council of England will boost the project, due to get under way later this year at Hextable School.

Headteacher Sheila Smith said: "This is fantastic news and moves us closer to realising a dream which has been in the making since 1996."

The centre will be available for arts organisations, community groups and artists to benefit from state of the art facilities, including auditoriums, high-tech recording studios and editing suites.

The building is due to be completed in autumn next year.

January 27, 2003 18:30