BURY'S historic Arts and Crafts Centre has been saved - but maybe only for one year in its current status.

Town hall bosses have found £78,000 to keep the centre open until June 2000 and fund a full programme of study courses this coming academic year.

While the long-term future of the Broad Street building is still unclear, it could become a home for a range of commercial artists and designers while keeping some elements of lifelong learning.

Consultants are examining a range of options for the 102-year-old centre and will report back next month.

The building could become the centrepiece of Bury's culture quarter as a home to all sorts of creative arts, with units let out to artists and used as workshops by visitors. Funding from Europe and the Lottery is being considered. Councillor David Higgin, Tory group leader, said he was very pleased that money is being found for the centre - he had proposed giving the centre £100,000 in March, but was outvoted by the ruling Labour group.

"We wanted to keep it open and they have now accepted that," he said. "But it's only for a year, and we will have to fight on for next year."

Council leader Derek Boden said: "The listed building commands a lot of respect from the community and we are obliged to look after it. We want to make it available for arts and crafts-related activities, a mix of commercial, community and educational activities."

Coun Boden added: "We've got to make sure we can safeguard the building, get the funds in to bring it up to acceptable standards and provide the facilities that people will use these days.

"The prospect of having a building which is home to all sorts of creative activities by a variety of people and organisations is an exciting one.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.