PLANS to transform a disused music centre into a vibrant music academy are set to come alive if the council gives the go ahead.

Darlington businessman David Cox wants to revive the Borough Road Music Centre, behind the Civic Theatre, and turn it into a live entertainment centre with recording studios, rehearsal rooms and an auditorium.

The building, a former Victorian school, dates back to 1871 and was last used four years ago by schools in County Durham for play and concert rehearsals.

The cabinet at Darlington Borough Council has agreed to lease the council-owned property for ten years on condition planning permission is approved.

The proposals to open the centre as a music venue with a bar and cafZ will go before the borough council's planning committee within the next few weeks.

In February, Mr Cox's plan to transform the Beehive ballroom, on the town's Lingfield estate, into a music academy collapsed.

Negotiations with estate owner The Marchday Group, based in London, fell through on the day the lease was due to be signed by both parties.

Mr Cox said he hoped the latest plan would have more luck.

He said: "I am thrilled that we have found a new venue.

"The council has done everything it can to get this venture up and running. It has taken time to find a new building.

"The Borough Road Music Centre hasn't been used for about four years. We are hoping to enhance the building and bring out its features but also bring it into 2003.

"I am really pleased that we have got somewhere. I have been working on the project for 18 months."

It is hoped that if planning permission is approved, the centre will be open within six weeks for use as rehearsal space.

The overall renovation of the venue is expected to take up to four months.

Mr Cox has already had hundreds of applications from people in the area wanting to sign up for a members-only centre.

It will be used by local bands and musicians, dance and drama groups, orchestras, schools and youth clubs, among others.

Music lovers will also be able to visit the centre to watch bands in the auditorium, which holds 150 people.