A FORMER Grimsby headteacher is spearheading a new vision for Louth Town Hall.

The Louth Community Education Trust, led by Andrew Howlett, was chosen as the best of seven bids to take over the town hall.

Mr Howlett, a former head teacher of Wintringham School, is aiming to turn the town hall into a education facility.

He pledged to maintain the council offices and the Register Office in the building.

He also said it was important to retain the famous Compton organ, which was moved to the town hall from the old Queen's Cinema, in Grimsby.

Louth Education Community Trust, a not-for-profit organisation, has been invited to develop a full business plan for taking over the Grade II-listed building.

Seven community groups expressed an interest in taking on the town hall after East Lindsey District Council announced it wanted to transfer the building to a community group to run.

Mr Howlett said the bid will ensure that Louth Town Hall is maintained as a community facility for the town, including retaining features such as the hall's Compton organ.

He said: "It is important that Louth retains its town hall as a community access centre. We want to do that and develop it as a local improvement centre for local schools, families and the community to access services which are currently fragmented and difficult to access.

"Under the terms of our proposal, the town hall would enhance and develop the facilities and services for the community and become a central access point for education quality in Louth and the surrounding area. It will be a hub for services that are currently fragmented, no longer part of the local provision, difficult for schools and families to access or outside the current availability for schools and the community."

Services which could be offered at Louth Town Hall through the trust include enterprise activities, citizenship development, careers development, learning development, parent and student advice and support such as admissions and anti-bullying and teacher and staff training.

The trust's bid includes the running of the hall through a management board, including key local stakeholders from head teachers, community group partners and family representatives.

A spokesman from ELDC said: "The final decision on whether to transfer the hall will not be made until the summer, by which time Louth Education Trust need to be in a position to demonstrate that they meet requirements about future use, governance arrangements and community access before they are accepted as the preferred applicant."