THE trustees of the Pound Arts Centre in Corsham have decided to resign and hand over the reigns to the Corsham Festival trustees.

Former trustee chairman and town councillor Pamela Stratford said the festival trustees were approached because it was felt that the centre needed a new lease of life.

"They are younger and better at getting things done and getting money. We voted ourselves out and them in," said Coun Stratford, addressing the council on March 10.

The Pound Arts Centre and Corsham Festival, which are both arts charities, will continue to run separately but will share the same trustees.

Ian Martin, the new chairman of both charities, said he was very excited about taking the Pound Arts Centre on.

"It is a great opportunity for us and we are all very excited about it. It will be a challenge and will take a lot of hard work," he said.

The new trustees hope to carry out the redevelopments planned by the former trustees once they have raised enough money. "It is a long term redevelopment plan to create a first-class arts venue. We need to come up with a detailed fundraising strategy and review the whole situation," said Mr Martin.

"But we do plan to carry out the refurbishment of the centre.

"We would now like to introduce professional arts and to raise the centre's profile within the district."

North Wiltshire District Council will also be continuing to support the centre with financial contributions.