SIR - Last Thursday's Chronicle carried a story about the county council's discussions with Kings' School over the future of the Tower Arts Centre.

I am sure that both parties will be well aware of the concerns raised by local people as they consider the centre's future.

Winchester City Council has supported the programme at the Tower for a number of years. This year we made a grant of £21,000 to support their varied and always interesting activities and events.

We have also made the Tower one of our key client' organisations, which means we have made a commitment to support them for the next three years.

My colleagues and I recognise that the Tower's current programme of events makes a very valuable contribution to Winchester's rich cultural mix. Whatever the outcome of the discussions between the county and the school regarding the building itself, the city council has every intention of continuing to support the eclectic mix of activities that has made the Tower so distinctive.

Cllr George Beckett, Leader of Winchester City Council.