UNCERTAINTY over the future of a Winchester arts venue deepened after it was revealed it is not booking any acts in 2008.

It comes as a public campaign begins to try to persuade the county council to retain the Tower Arts Centre as an independent venue.

Last week it was revealed that the council was considering transferring the centre to Kings' School.

The opening of the revamped Discovery Centre library in Jewry Street will create more arts space and potentially make the Tower redundant.

But the centre, a converted former water reservoir that opened as a drama studio in 1969, is a major attraction for the young, hosting the annual Battle of the Bands, the Winfest project and the Big Padonka, an annual festival for children.

Centre director John Tellett, who has worked at the Tower since 1975, confirmed he was not making any bookings in 2008, but referred enquiries to the county council's press office.

Meanwhile one of the centre's 250 friends' has started an e-petition to persuade the council not to transfer the centre.

Miles Banister, of Pine Close, Oliver's Battery, said: "The venue is very popular and well used and has a unique atmosphere highly valued by audiences and artists alike."

County councillor Margaret Snaith, executive member for recreation and heritage, is due to make a decision on the centre in either July or September.

It was unclear how Kings' School, which has declined to comment, would run the centre and whether it would retain the current management.

Mr Banister added: "As we understand that a final decision may not be taken until as late as September, the centre may be unable to offer a new programme from January 2008 due to the lead time required to book artists.

"This gives the impression that the decision has actually already been agreed."