Residents in Ongar are poised to celebrate a New Year boost as final touches are put to an exciting asset to the town.

The new Arts and Education Centre on the Great Stony School site is scheduled to open in February after months of hard work by a team of volunteers.

Trust chairman Keith Tait said: "This is a marvellous way to start 1999 for the people of Ongar.

"During the past 20 years every campaign in which I've been involved has been trying to stop facilities, such as the railway line, comprehensive school and hospital, being removed from the town.

"This project is something dynamic and new and is the best thing that's happened here in a quarter of a century.

"It's extremely rewarding and stimulating to be involved in creating something which is going to contribute enormously to the quality of life.''

The centre will occupy the old school hall and six classrooms leading off it.

It is being refurbished as part of the development of the site near the Four Wantz roundabout by Taywood Homes.

A reciprocal agreement signed last week between the developers, Epping Forest District Council and the trust will enable the freehold of the site to be passed to the centre. Taywood will also donate £20,000.

Since the summer volunteers have been busy refurbishing the old hall and classrooms.

Every room has been stripped of wall furniture, redundant electric cables gas pipes and fittings.

Central heating has been overhauled, the place is being rewired and volunteers have dug large trenches across the site for independent gas, water and electrical supplies.

Dangerous blue asbestos has been removed from the roof and timber has been treated for dry rot.

A pottery and ceramics studio has been equipped and new lavatories, including facilities for the disabled, have been installed.

But trustee Keith Wright, district councillor and chairman of Ongar Parish Council, says: "There is still much to be done.

"We're grateful for the help we're receiving from local people, many of whom are young people giving time between school and college studies. However, more help is needed as we get ready for the opening in February."

Local organisations are lining up to use the centre which intends to complement the Budworth Hall and not to compete with it.

The Workers Education Association plans to use the new facilities for classes and the local charity Theatre Resource will have its office there.

The theatre group will use the building for its work with disabled children and vulnerable groups.

Organisations from outside the district may also hire space but the people of Ongar will always have priority.

A national personality is being approached to perform the official opening in the summer.

Mr Tait said: "It will be a great day for the people of Ongar and the surrounding area."

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