The fate of Ashford's former bingo hall is to be debated at a full council meeting after a petition gained more than 3,000 signatures.

Scores of residents are calling on Ashford Borough Council (ABC) to turn the ex-Odeon in the Lower High Street into a theatre.

Customer sales assistant Peter Morris-Kelso, who started the petition, sent it to council leader Gerry Clarkson at the end of August.

He is yet to receive a response but ABC says the campaign will be debated at a full council meeting.

Last month, the Kentish Express revealed how the authority is looking to flatten the site to make way for homes, a pedestrian route and bars and restaurants.

Mr Morris-Kelso, who lives in Aldington, said: "The people of Ashford need something to do - one of the most entertaining things to happen recently was the Aldi supermarket opening and people queued for hours.

"ABC's proposals bring nothing new to the town and only creates revenue for private businesses and developers.

"If houses, restaurants and bars are built, then it offers nothing new for the town."

An ABC spokesman said the theatre petition has been received and will be considered in due course.

He said: "If a petition with more than 1,500 valid signatures is received, in line with our petition policy, it will be debated at a full council meeting. "We will confirm the date for this in due course.

"Since the council acquired this prominent town centre site earlier in the summer, it has begun to consider the options on the best way to use it to meet various community needs and add to the charm and character of our town centre.

"The authority is taking a range of expert advice to help it consider the possible future uses for the site.

"Surveyors and architects are already engaged to study, among other things, the structural condition of the old bingo club.

"The council has also commissioned specialist cultural expertise to look at the business case for theatre provision in Ashford and how this could complement the town’s existing cultural offering."

Cllr Clarkson says the authority is aware of calls for a theatre.

He said: "A wide-ranging consultation is underway and I would encourage everyone to get involved in that and let us have your views on the former bingo club site and the wider town centre.

"We want to build on all the good work that is already going on to make visiting our town centre a very special experience. We need people’s ideas on how entertainment and cultural activity can be showcased and delivered in a realistic and sustainable way.

“Once we have the results of the community consultation and the advice of the specialists on what is feasible, we will be able to take a clear view on the way forward.

"We are well aware that there is a good deal of public support for a theatre in the town and we are quite open to that suggestion, but we do need to consider it very carefully.”