Headingley Development Trust (HDT) are trying to raise £1 million before the end of June to make their vision for the former school a reality.

The Headingley Enterprise and Arts Trust (HEART) will transform the school into a vibrant arts centre, with performance and exhibition space, two large training rooms, a cafe and small units for start-up businesses.

Council bosses originally gave the project six months at Christmas to show it was feasible.

Councillor James Monaghan explained why it was important to earmark cash for the project.

"Instead of doing lots of little things to improve the centre of Headingley we are hoping that HEART will have a big impact.

"The project is coming up to the end of six months and we want to help prove they are getting the money in.

"It helps them on their way quite significantly. They are making a lot of progress and we wanted to show the councillors' commitment to making the project work."

The Trust were recently given £15,000 and five days of expert help to improve their bid before a decision is made at a meeting of the council's executive board next month.

Trust publicity officer Lesley Jeffries said the group had made it through to the second round of lottery funding and hope to near the fundraising target.

HEART not only needs to raise a considerable amount of money and develop designs for the building, but also find out which companies, organisations and individuals want to rent space in the building.

Those interested can attend a meeting on Monday June 4 at Yorkshire College of Music and Drama, 19 Shire Oak Road (7.30pm) to find out more about the project.

To support HEART you can now buy shares in the project from £100 to a maximum of £20,000.