A CAMPAIGN to save an arts centre from closure has received more than £12,000 in donations.

It has taken just one week to raise more than half of the £20,000 the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham needs in order to make it through the next financial year.

Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, and crime writer Peter James were the first people to donate £100 each to the centre.

Lyricist Sir Tim Rice and performance poet Attila the Stockbroker both donated £500 to the cause.

The campaign aims to find 200 people to donate £100.

Adur District Council has covered the centre’s financial deficit over the past few years but is reviewing how it spends its money.

Ben Parker, spokesman for the Ropetackle, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed and touched by the generosity shown towards Ropetackle Arts Centre.

"More than £12,000 has been donated which is amazing. However we need £20,000 to plug a gap in our finances and stay alive."

There are a number of fund raising initiatives taking place to help save the Ropetackle including an Evening With Peter James on Thursday, October 27, when he will talk about his new novel Perfect People.

The arts centre is also hosting an all day gig on November 20 to raise money in partnership with Attila the Stockbroker, featuring bands including The Piranhas, Paul Diello, Robb Johnson and many others.

For more information about the appeal, go to www.ropetacklecentre.co.uk or call 01273 464440.