EXCITING times lie ahead for Dunmow s Art Centre as renovation and imagination combine to make a thespian haven for up-and-coming actors, artists and musicians. A 120-seat theatre, new diner, and a recording studio are just some of the features to be adde

EXCITING times lie ahead for Dunmow's Art Centre as renovation and imagination combine to make a thespian haven for up-and-coming actors, artists and musicians.

A 120-seat theatre, new diner, and a recording studio are just some of the features to be added to the centre as it goes from strength to strength.

Grants totalling nearly £20,000 have already been received from foundations and charities including £3000 from the Essex Community Foundation for new flooring and £5000 for a new diner thanks to the centres very own Dunmow Youth Action Committee.

Art Centre manager Jacky Rom said: "We are undertaking this major renovation to compete with and be better than the schools in London. It will also enable us to take on more students.

"We will need a further £80,000 from grants and funding but we are in the process of applying for these."

The arts centre has lots going on for adults and children in the New Year including salsa, ballroom dancing and singing classes.

Mrs Rom is also applying for a £3000 grant to install a gym for those people looking to lose the extra Christmas pounds.

She said: "We have so many projects going in, it's really exciting, our next big one is the installation of a lift so disabled people can access the building.

"This place started out as an industrial shell, we are so pleased with the way it is shaping up now."

The latest child prodigy to benefit from attending the centre is Ryan Johnson who is currently appearing on Sky One show Are You Smarter than a Ten Year Old? presented by Noel Edmonds.

Ryan's mother, Julia Johnson said: "He has been going to the art centre for a year and completely loves it, both my children do.

"They were quite shy before but Jacky is so encouraging she even got him the audition for the TV show.