THE refurbishment of Salisbury Arts Centre is well under way - but staff still need to raise £80,000 to release lottery funding worth nearly half-a-million pounds.

So far, the Arts Centre and its supporters have raised just under £4m towards the £4.7m cost of the refurbishment and extension project to their Grade II listed home.

But without the extra £80,000, staff say they will not be able to use their wonderful building.

Director Jill Low said: "This amount is key to releasing more than £480,000 pounds-worth of Arts Centre lottery funding. This is for the things that make going to the Arts Centre an enjoyable and stimulating experience - such as comfortable seating, a youth rock stage, bar, cafe, exhibition boards, a fully accessible box office, theatre lighting, children's workshop facilities, easy-to-operate front doors and the facilities for film screenings."

Work at the centre, the former church of Sarum St Edmund, is on schedule to finish in April 2005.

Bluestone, the main contractor, has already levelled the main area and dug trenches to house audio, visual and lighting cables, computer and telephone cables, and water, gas and electricity pipelines - uncovering a Victorian mural in the process.

On the north side of the building, the extension has reached first-floor level and the outline of the windows can be seen.

Wiltshire masons are repairing the damaged and eroded stonework.

Extensive repairs to the roof are also under way and roofers from Wales are replacing tiles, insulating the roof and repairing damaged timber work.

"With an increase in space, the Arts Centre will be able to boost the capacity and frequency of artistes' residencies and shows," said Ms Low.

"Best of all, with an increased seating capacity in the main space, even more people will be able to enjoy themselves in greater comfort."

If you would like to help the Arts Centre reach its target, you can join its Founder Friends scheme for just £11.50 a month for four years, or make a one-off payment of £552.

For more details, call Toni Kirk, on 01722 430702.