A campaign to redevelop Harrow Arts Centre after the council proposed cutting its funding has raised more than £30,000.

Organisers of Save Harrow Arts Centre said the plans to turn the site into a Southbank Centre for north west London have generated an "excellent community response" - and are celebrating a £10,000 donation from the Hatch End Association.

Currently the well used centre offers theatre, music, dance, comedy and family events in addition to learning activities for children from babies to teenagers.

But its future came into question when Harrow Council announced it could no longer afford the £500,000 annual subsidy for the project.

A business plan has been developed with charity Cultura London that includes building an independent cinema, a new theatre, restaurant, bar, cafe and the restoration of 100-year-old Elliott Hall which is on the site.

The money to start the project needs to be raised in the community, with an initial fundraising target of £250,000.

Campaigner Sue McCall, from Harrow Music Service, said: "We have a lot of other fundraising strands that we’re following up and we’ll need to continue fundraising into the future to stave off closure and help build amazing new facilities.

"Harrow Council are supportive of our plans so far but the cabinet decision on whether to close the centre or approve the Cultura London plans will be taken at a meeting at the Civic Centre on January 20.

"If it stays open it promises to support the music service, the centre and the museum to thrive and grow for the people of Harrow."

She continued: "Speaking for the Harrow Music Service, at least 2,000 young people love performing here every year as part of our school festival programme and the dignity, space and acoustic of the Elliott Hall really make this a special experience.

"We enter 500 children for Trinity music examinations every year here as well as using the space to teach our ‘Bravo’ instrumental lessons on Mondays and Thursdays to children and adults. It is an essential resource for us."

Sandra Bruce-Gordon, the interim CEO for Cultura London, said: “The response has been overwhelming in a short space of time. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of all our local supporters.

"It is another demonstration of how the Harrow community cherishes the arts centre. If pledges continue like this, it will help convince the council on deadline day that there is a very bright future for the arts here and that the arts centre must stay open."

Cultura London patron, Courtney Pine, added: "This facility is of prime importance. The centre serves the community not just by providing a platform for youngsters to gain invaluable experience in performance, event management, lighting, sound engineering, catering, teaching and dance, but also provides a lighthouse effect and allows us to rally together as a diverse group of people.

"We have a fantastic arts centre that reflects the true nature of a modern, progressive and diverse Harrow - join us and keep this essential space alive."

To find out more about the campaign and to pledge support visit https://spacehive.com/save-harrow-arts-centre!