A dancing school could lead the way in taking over council-run halls to be managed by community groups.

Sharon Kennard, who runs the Sharon Kennard School of Dance, is already running Fant Hall, Maidstone, on behalf of the council, and wants to take out a formal lease.

She said: “There’s a playschool five days a week, a baby club once a week, my dance school four days a week and the Barming Active Retirement Association once a week, plus the odd booking for birthday parties and the like.

"We’re looking at a peppercorn rent, with income from the hall going to its maintenance.”

People are being invited to take over the centres under a government initiative to ensure public resources are fully used.

Three other possibilities in Maidstone are Heather House in Bicknor Road, a 40-year-old community centre in need of modernisation, Senacre Hall in Titchfield Road, and the new Oakwood Community Centre, off Hermitage Lane.

Further details from http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/makingassetswork