WIMBLINGTON businessman Tony Knowles is offering to pay a considerable amount of money towards a new village community centre. Parish councillors are ready to present the village with a suggested plan for the new centre, which would be built on the Memori

WIMBLINGTON businessman Tony Knowles is offering to pay a considerable amount of money towards a new village community centre.

Parish councillors are ready to present the village with a suggested plan for the new centre, which would be built on the Memorial Field and called the Memorial Hall in memory of all those whose who have lost their lives in war.

Mr Knowles, managing director of Knowles Transport, wants to acquire a parcel of land at the end of the field but it is hoped his offer of financial help will boost the chances of a Lottery grant.

The council had to apply for a Lottery grant by the end of last month; if it gets though the first round it will be asked to give more detailed ideas..

There are no plans to change the use of the current hall. Parish council chairman Liz Wright said: "As long as people want to use this hall, it will be kept fully functional. A new hall will be far more a community centre with different facilities and a larger capacity."

The new centre would be in walking distance of the cemetery and it is hoped the land behind the cemetery could be used for allotments. In a speech at the annual assembly, Ms Wright said: "I stress this is in the very early stages. Planning permission, lottery funds and above all, a mandate from you the village, all have to be first sought. There will be plenty of opportunity for consultations because we want to be sure the village gets the hall it really wants.