Looe School's head teacher designate, Mrs Helga Turner, told a meeting in the town that the school hopes to acquire the status of Arts College in the near future.

Speaking at the packed meeting discussing the proposed Millpool multi use centre she said the school took the arts seriously.

'We intend to work with all arts facilities and to celebrate the arts. I feel strongly that our school is already a focus for the community, therefore I shall be speaking to the governors and asking for their support.'

She said the development of a multi use centre, to include a theatre, was an opportunity on the school's doorstep and therefore she was in full support.

Mrs Turner began by reading a long and impressive list of former students, including Westcountry presenter Julie Skentelbery, who had chosen the arts as careers, and who had been involved in many play performances over the last 10 years. 'Our young people are not drop outs or disaffected when they leave the school' she said. 'Many of them have been involved in the arts through music, dance and drama, which has given youngsters self respect and motivation. Children need a diversity of outlets, and as individuals the arts helps them to become independent, to sparkle, and to be leaders, not followers.'

The meeting, the third to be held, had been first addressed by Caradon's Forward Planning Officer, Steve Foster. He said the second feasibility study for a multi purpose centre on the Millpool had almost been completed.

He said such a centre would serve the catchment area of the whole of South East Cornwall and would serve the local community and tourists alike as a cultural centre. 'The formula has now been established' he said, 'and the most significant aspects of it will include a theatre, cinema, library, information technology area, exhibition and gallery space, meeting rooms, workshops and refreshment outlets.'

As to its appearance he said the building should be an outstanding example of contemporary design, environmentally friendly and sensitive to the surroundings, and there would probably be an architectural competition on a national basis, to attract some of the best designers.

The third speaker was Antony Waller , director of Cornwall's Dance Agency, who said a venue for performances was much needed in Caradon.

There was a disruption midway through the evening when a small anti lobby who had wanted to voice their opposition to the plan, left before the show. There had been the mistaken impression, published by the Cornish Times, that there would be time for debate.

However, the local community will have the chance to voice their opinion in person and writing when an exhibition about the proposed Millpool Project opens in Looe on April 3, 5 and 6.