AS a metaphor for the views of people using the Arts Centre it seemed perfect and fell into the lap of this particular journalist.

In a classroom in the complex - used by A-level performing arts students from the next door Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College - the strains of High and Dry by the rock band Radiohead could be heard.

The song earnestly requests: "Don't leave me high.

Don't leave me dry."

Next on the students' play list was a cover of the song Use Somebody by Kings of Leon, including the line: "You know that I could use somebody. Someone like you."

Both lyrics seemed to fit the feelings of the people I spoke to about the possible closure of the building during a visit yesterday afternoon.

Darlington Borough Council, which operates the centre, intends to sell it to developers and reinvest themoney in a new, more central, purpose-built arts centre.

Student Lauren Addison, from Sedgefield, who was leaving a class at the Arts Centre, said: "If they knock the Arts Centre down it would be a huge loss. As well as our classes, we can meet friends here and it is a general social area where we can hang out."

Back in the foyer were a gaggle of students sitting on comfy sofas - one teenage couple being relaxed enough to share a kiss.

Another student who was just arriving, Thomas Pighills, said: "We have a lot of lessons here and I don't think it would work if they [the council] moved it into town or somewhere else."

As if to demonstrate the centre's appeal to all ages - at one end of the building, in the East Hall, a dance for pensioners was taking place and plenty of people were enjoying themselves. This time, the music was of a far more easy-listening nature.

Artist Paul Nugent, 60, who was sitting drinking a coffee nearby, said he, too, would be sad to lose the centre, which is in Vane Terrace.

"It would be sad for the town and I'd be disappointed if it closed, " he said.

"I write poetry and film scripts here and use the media workshop to edit films.

I also have a piece of work in the open artists' studio. People like myself who are artists find it really good to work in this environment.

"The young people from the sixth form college and the town can also come in here and relax and be themselves without any hostility."

Leaflets on display advertise everything from a production of Cinderella to a play about Charles Dickens, along with Darlington Piano Society and the Darlington Film Club - just a selection of the things going on.

Another leaflet details several courses on offer from creative writing and photography to arts and crafts.

And very young children are not left out. Anthony Leonard was visiting the centre with his two daughters, aged four and two and-a-half.

MrLeonard said the girls had been enjoying a children's theatre class. "I would hate to see that kind of activity go, " he said.

"It strikes me as such a waste not to use this building.

It's a real joy to use and be in and is a real asset to the community and has such a wonderful atmosphere. It would be a disaster to close it."

But council leader Bill Dixon said the building - a former teacher training college - was not fit for purpose.

"He said: "We spend a phenomenal amount on keeping it going, heating and lighting.

It is money better spent throughmainline provision."

Where the cuts are proposed

DARLINGTON Borough Council has proposed to reduce its spending by an estimated £10.8m. As well as the arts vision, its proposals include:

* Increasing council tax by 3.5 per cent;

* Closing Cockerton library and East Row toilets;

* Stopping subsidies from all bus services and Shopmobility;

* Reducing subsidies for consultation with older people;

* Reducing the Connexions youth service to focus on more vulnerable users;

* Phasing in the removal of home to school transport for new students who live within three miles of schools;

* Increasing Sunday parking charges in line with weekday prices;

* Voluntary school crossing patrols;

* Focus CCTV on the town centre only;

* Outsourcing and sharing some services.

The council will also consult on 155 redundancies - 90 at the Arts Centre, a three-year pay freeze for staff and ask staff to take three days unpaid leave.