THE Review has learned that both Lydney Town Council and the Forest Sea Cadets are involved in negotiations over the future use of the town's Naas Lane Community Centre.

They are not, however, in competition, but bidding for separate parts of the site.

The fate of the old Victorian school buildings has worried many townspeople and the many groups who use them ever since the county's Youth Service said it would have to close them under economy measures.

However the county council says it is still looking at proposals on the site ahead of a June 1 deadline.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: "We have received expression of interests for the Naas Lane Centre from Lydney Town Council and from the Sea Cadets and we continue to be involved in positive discussions with both.

"Where there is more than one expression of interest, we have been encouraging the parties to work in partnership.

"We have already handed out grants of up to £2,500 to 18 community groups interested in running community facilities to help them develop their business plans and we are awaiting a bid for funding for the Naas Lane Centre.

"The initial business plans needs to be with us by June 1 and we are happy to offer community groups our continued support in developing these."

Speaking for the Sea Cadets, Mike Chard, said they were waiting to hear how their proposals had been viewed.

"We think we have a strong bid in and we are very hopeful," he said, adding they would like to hear from any other groups who might like to share use of their part of Naas Lane if they become its managers.