Over the last few weeks the Gazette has been campaigning to save the Lister Hall, a popular and historic venue in Dursley which is in need of money for refurbishment. However, other places in the town are also in desperate need of funding for renovation, such as Dursley Community Centre. Gazette reporter Claire Marshall talked to the chairman and manager of the community association to find out why it needs extra money.

DURSLEY'S community centre may be old, but it is still full of life. Every Monday morning a group for disabled adults, called Ability Sports, uses the large hall to play games.

But the centre is in desperate need of refurbishment and will have to generate more use if it is to continue.

Alan Burgess, chairman of the community association, said: "To get more people through the door will mean we can continue running, but without more money we cannot do that.

"We had a discussion about putting our prices up, because we are very reasonable, but we decided against it because we are a community facility.

"We have just got to make the place look attractive to get more people using it."

The community centre, in the grounds of Rednock School, is currently home to a range of groups, from the Friday lunch club for the frail and elderly to the Royal British Legion and a judo club. The venue, which has a large bar and kitchen, is also available to hire for weddings, functions and dinners.

However the building, which is around 35 years old, needs new toilets, lighting and a new kitchen, as well as redecoration.

The community association is a registered charity and only receives yearly donations from Dursley Town Council.

It is now hoping to secure the centre's future with the help of a grant from the developers of the Littlecombe site in Dursley.

Members of the association estimate the work needed would cost around £120,000.

Jane Ball, Dursley mayor and manager of the community centre, said: "We have got a building here that has a good reputation, it makes sense to use the money on a building that is already here.

"Almost 70,000 pass through the doors every year, with all the groups, societies and clubs that use us. It is a well used facility and there isn't another place like it in Dursley."