A BIG increase in the budget for Upton's new-look Hill Centre is set to be approved by Malvern Hills District Council.

Kevin Douglas, head of corporate services at MHDC, which owns the site, will recommend that councillors allocate £20,000 towards running costs at next week's executive board meeting.

This is more than double the £9,000 it was previously thought the centre would need.

After meetings with the centre's management committee throughout November and December, council officers have decided to put enough aside to employ a manager with specialist knowledge to promote and run the facility.

The step is also being taken to ensure the centre is manned for as many hours as possible, to maximise income.

"It will be more able to fund itself in the long run," said Mr Douglas. "It used to be run on a caretaker basis but there needs to be pro-active marketing of the centre."

The centre will be handed over to the committee by the building contractors on February 16 and is due to open its doors at Easter.