THE director of the Colchester Arts Centre is going to be the new man heading up the town’s Firstsite art gallery.

It was announced today Anthony Roberts will be taking on the post of interim director on one-year contract with a view to extending it on a rolling basis.

He will take over from Matthew Rowe, who quit earlier this month.

He said: “I love Colchester, I love the arts and I am delighted about the opportunity to add my little bit to the brilliant team at Firstsite.

“I’ve lived and worked in Colchester for 24 years this September. I’ve seen Firstsite evolve form a twinkle in Kath Wood’s eye in the Nineties to the stunning building it is today.

“She’s a glorious piece of architecture, she's been the home of some brilliant exhibitions but she’s also very young. She hasn’t quite found her voice yet.”

Earlier this month Mr Roberts defended Firstsite, saying: “Firstsite has not found its voice yet, but it is only a baby."

Read the full interview in tomorrow's Daily Gazette and Essex County Standard.