A LOTTERY to help bankroll a community facility fit for the 21st Century has been launched in Gillingham.

The Three Rivers Partnership (3RP) group announced the weekly draw, with a top prize of £1,000, at Gillingham Town Hall.

The community facility, boasting a stage, seating for 400 people and a café, will be integrated into the town’s soon-to-be revamped swimming pool and leisure centre.

North Dorset District Council agreed to hand over £3.35 million in December, to transform the former leisure centre site at Harding’s Lane into a multipurpose building.

Work on the leisure centre could start as early as April this year.

Elaine Stewart, spokesman for 3RP, said: “This community centre will cater for people from all over North Dorset. People in this area have been calling for a decent community facility since 1896, so it has been a long time coming.

“Work is soon to start on remodelling the leisure centre, which was forced to close last year.

“This lottery is to help fund the community facility at the same site, and we will have fixed prizes of £25, £50 and £100 pounds from the start.”

It may take longer until the £1,000 is available, as the jackpot depends on ticket sales.

Chairman of 3PR Mark Hebditch said: “The health and well-being of our communities can only be sustained by having good and easily accessible leisure and community facilities.

“This project and the community lottery will provide and sustain them.”