AN APPEAL to modernise and refurbish a youth centre is being launched next week by the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire.

Legge House in Wroughton is used by schools, church groups and scouts from all over the UK as well as overseas students such as those from Swindon's twin town of Salzgitter in Germany.

The centre is now looking to create better facilities to provide more access for disabled people.

The appeal, which will be launched on Thursday, needs to raise about £1.7million for work.

Much of this money is expected to come from regional development grants, charities, educational organisations, business and private donors.

Better shower and toilet facilities for groups rather than communal facilities will be provided, as well as improved laundry, kitchen, offices and storage facilities.

Chris Offord, manager of Legge House, said: "This place has been a learning centre for young people since the 1860s. We want to continue this tradition by providing a relaxing but also educational place to work from, not only for young people but also for adults as well.

"It is important for the appeal to work as much of the accommodation here is around 40 years old and in need of repair. We feel it very important to accommodate handicapped and disabled people to provide those people with the opportunities we would give to anyone else."

The former schoolhouse, together with the house at the rear, are both to be refurbished while a new two-storey extension may be built to house both young people and the carers that may need to accompany them.

Fundraising is planned to take place through the rest of 2002 into 2003 and work on the house is hoped to start in 2004.

Princess Margaret opened Legge House in 1968. Formerly the village school, the building was transformed into a youth centre.

Last year the centre housed around 40 groups who used the house as a base for visits to places of cultural, historical and environmental interest.

Legge House's close proximity to Swindon has meant that groups have been able to make full use of the many leisure facilities the town has to offer.