A £5.2 million scheme to refurbish a town's arts centre has taken another step forward.

Council officers are in the process of drawing up detailed plans for the renovation of Horsham Arts Centre.

The move comes after councillors agreed to push ahead with proposals put forward by consultants LA Architects. It is hoped they will dramatically improve the centre's fortunes.

The financial package has still to be arranged and will include a likely bid for lottery funding.

The overall cost of the project is £5.2 million, with £4 million for construction and £1.2 million for fees, including consultancy fees and statutory fees such as planning and building control.

Council spokesman Martin Wright, said: "It is a very exciting project and the improvements should make a major difference.

"There is still a long way to go as we need to get in contact with architects and quantity surveyors to get the detailed plans drawn up but things are looking hopeful."

The aim of the refurbishment is to encourage more people to use the centre instead of travelling to venues in larger towns such as Crawley. The plans for the centre involve adding an extra cinema screen and renovating the whole of the ground floor.

The council-owned site currently has one 126-seat cinema and a 460-seat theatre and is the focal point for amateur and professional stage productions in the area, including the annual pantomime.

But increasing competition from both the new multiplex and The Hawth theatre in Crawley has diverted potential audiences away from Horsham.

The changes include moving the bar and restaurant area from the first floor to the ground floor to make room for a new 170-seat cinema. The ground floor and main entrance will be extended to provide a new bar area and reception with a glass-fronted main entrance.

If all goes to plan, work on the changes could start as early as next May, with construction expected to take about 17 months.