THE final nail in the coffin of Fareham Community Centre has been hammered home by the town's councillors.

Many community groups now face an uncertain future after approval was given to bulldoze their Queens Road home for housing.

Fareham executive committee voted to extend and refurbish the Octagon lounge at Ferneham Hall at a cost of £300,000 as an alternative venue.

While some groups will relocate there, many will not because its facilities are not up to scratch.

Instead councillors agreed that these groups will be given a share of £15,000 to help set up at other local centres.

Currently the community centre is home to groups for archery, pre-schools, badminton, Mencap, birds, plants, karate, model railways and is run by volunteers.

Fareham Community Association chairman Audrey Sitch said: "We are not giving up yet. We are still fighting - I shall fight until the end.

"We are not happy. What they are proposing is not acceptable. Ferneham Hall is not big enough for many groups."

The sale of the community centre site is expected to raise £750,000 and it will be developed with a mix of housing types including social.

Leader of Fareham Council Sean Woodward said: "Since we started drawing up these plans things have changed significantly and we have taken into account many views.

"We want to provide community facilities in the middle of Fareham which the town can be proud of and of course to help the housing situation."

Although the centre was granted a 21-year lease from Fareham Council in 1999, a clause allowing six months notice to be given for its return of ownership has been invoked. The centre will be flattened for housing in 2006.