COUNCIL chiefs in the New Forest are celebrating today after finally securing all the cash they need to build a £1m arts centre.

Totton and Eling Town Council has been awarded a huge lottery grant of £854,000 - more than three times the sum it originally requested.

Work on a long-awaited scheme to convert Hanger Farm into a theatre and exhibition centre is expected to start in August or September.

The council initially applied for a lottery grant of £250,000.

Town clerk Derek Biggs said: "We had to approach the Heritage Lottery Fund before the tenders were in, and when they arrived they were higher than forecast.

"The fund didn't want to see any reduction in the quality of the scheme and agreed to allocate extra money."

Packed with state-of-the-art equipment, the arts centre will occupy a listed barn that is thought to be almost 300 years old.

Town council chairman Dave Russell said: "I'm absolutely delighted at news of the grant. It will enable an exciting project to be completed in a historic building that desperately needs preserving for future generations."

Michael Houghton, chairman of the fund, said: "We are pleased to

support this project for a number of reasons.

"As well as ensuring the survival of a rare and historic barn, the grant will enable people to gain access to a building which is currently closed.

"Plans to turn it into a centre for the arts will also create a much-needed facility for the local community."

The fund's decision to back the project means the last piece of the funding jigsaw has finally fallen into place.

Earlier this year the town council secured £170,000 from New Forest District Council and £50,000 from Hampshire County Council.

The rest of the money will come from developers' contributions and Totton College, which will run the centre in partnership with the town council.

Civic chiefs say the 130-seat theatre and exhibition area is due to open next summer.

Part of the land surrounding Hanger Farm will be converted into a tennis centre, a paddling pool and an area of public open space.