AN exciting half-a-million pound project to transform Otley's former Court buildings into a community and arts centre was given a warm response this week.

More than 150 people turned out to see an exhibition of the plans for the former Magistrates Court - Aidensfield Police Station in TV's Heartbeat - at Otley Civic Centre on Monday.

The scheme, which if successful will see the Courthouse Street building handed over to the town from the Leeds Development Agency - the property wing of Leeds City Council - for a peppercorn rent will see the conversion of the former magistrates court, cells, probation office and inspector's house.

It is planned that the main courtroom will be turned into a large venue able to seat more than 150 people with uses ranging from theatre and film, to music, dance and exhibitions.

Other plans for the remaining buildings include a community caf, a creche, a pottery room and a craft selling area.

And it could see the preservation of one of the 19th Century police cells into a museum with the possibility of overnight stays. Otley Citizens Advice Bureau, already housed in the building, will benefit from enlarged premises, and the courtyard could be used for outside events.

Rachel Feldberg, of the Otley Courthouse Project said the turnout at the exhibition was very encouraging. It is hoped work could start this year and opened early in 2003.

"We've seen so many people that we've never seen before and they're all saying how exciting it is and how they'd like to become involved," she said.

The next step is for applications to be made to the community fund of the National Lottery for £123,000 - and to the Regional Arts Lottery for £50,000.

An application will also be made to the government's Market Towns Initiative of which Otley was last year awarded in the region of £360,000.

Project members estimate the cost of the conversion will be in the region of £500,000, but will not have match any grant funding as that will be covered by the building. But even with maximum amount possible awarded in grants, the project will still have to raise more money.

Ms Feldberg said: "This is an expensive project, the buildings are in a poor state of repair and refurbishment must be of a high standard to give the people of Otley the resources they deserve.

We need all the help we can get with fund raising, furniture, fittings, publicity, networking with other groups and agencies and later, practical help with running the building."

Anyone who wanting to get involved can call (01943) 466256.