An appeal has been launched to raise £3.5 million to build a long-desired community centre.

The call for support went out loud and clear at a public meeting in Cranbrook on Wednesday.

A packed hall at Angley School heard how a new steering group of six is appealing for everyone’s help, no matter how small the donation, to raise funds for the centre.

People with useful skills have also been urged to come forward and join satellite groups that will work on the appeal.

The Cranbrook Weald Centre Project (CWCP) involves setting up a community interest company where shareholders do not take any profits. Money for the centre could also come from the National Lottery, local authorities, community grants and trusts.

It was initially hoped that the centre would be built on the site of the former Tunbridge Wells council offices – but the council decided it wanted to sell the land to housing developers.

The steering group has not given up on that site, but is also looking at other possible sites in the town.

One suggestion has been Wilkes Field behind the High Street, which is owned by former Carphone Warehouse boss Guy Johnson, who lives in the Weald.

Parish councillor and CWCP group member Kim Fletcher appealed for “foot soldiers to create community cohesion”.

Shop owner Philip Mummery added: “It is no good saying it is a good idea, we have all got to go out there and sell it.”

Open days will be held on Saturday, March 21, from 10am to 2pm at the Vestry Hall and on Saturday, March 28, at the parish room in Sissinghurst from 10am to 2pm. Members of the consortium will be present to answer questions.

The new group is made up of parish councillors, chairman Peter North, Kim Fletcher and Brian Swan with Sir Kenneth Warren, Howard Cox and Denis East who ran the previous campaign group.

Details of the new group are on www.cranbrookwealdcentre.org