A FORMER trustee of the Greig Centre has called for the sacking of the present board to allow the facility to make a fresh start.

Bill Bayley wants the Charity Commission to take action to turn the Kinwarton Road centre into "what it was supposed to be, a community centre for the youth of the town".

Mr Bayley, who lives in Henley Street, stormed out of a meeting called by Greig Centre manager Stacy Robinson to boost support of the original Greig Hall - which is not included in the centre's £1.2m refurbishment plan.

The cash will be used to improve the sports and leisure centre.

Trustees say the increased sports revenue would fund repairs and upkeep of the hall, which has traditionally been used as a community arts and social centre. Among its current users are drama and choral societies and the Renewal Church.

But Mr Bayley is angry these groups are being asked to save the centre, which he believes is the job of the trustees.

"We have been told it's up to us to rescue the main building by using it more.

"When the building was put up it was supposed to be as a youth club but instead it was a middle-class dining hall and ballroom.

"It was set up wrong in the first place. The Greig Centre is a community centre.

"A leisure centre, being sports orientated, does not fill that role. Where are the youth of Alcester in the present plans? It's no good telling me they will use the leisure centre because they won't."

Mr Bayley wants local people to campaign to keep the Greig Centre by writing to the trustees, Stratford District Council and the Charity Commission with their views.

He said: "I think the the board should be sacked and we can start again."

Stratford Council's executive committee held an interim discussion on a business plan submitted by the trustees on Monday.

Although the £800,000 was set aside four years ago, it will only be made available if the plans meet the approval of officers and councillors.

Vice-chairman of trustees Mike Clark said: "All the trustees are trustees because they believe in the Greig Centre and want it to remain as an asset to the town.

"The trustees are all volunteers and everybody has the opportunity to stand as a trustee at the AGM. We would welcome an election.

"Mr Bayley is entitled to his view, as is everybody else, but if he is going to criticise the existing trustees then he should put his labour where his mouth is and come along and join us."