The creation of a two-floor community centre in central Yeovil will, at best, be severely delayed.

Ambitious plans were revealed in February 2000 when the then MP, Paddy Ashdown, officially launched the project.

The community centre would be built in the car park between Petters Way and the arts centre, but it soon became clear that the attempt to complete the project by last spring would be unsuccessful.

The charity set up to see the project through, Yeovil Community Association (YCA), has lost members and is expected to dissolve, according to a South Somerset District Council report.

The council earmarked £130,000 towards the project as early as March 1999, and officers have worked closely with YCA.

In the report, corporate director (south) Mary Rogers lists a delay in getting access to money from the South West Regional Development Agency as one reason for the problems experienced.

Facilities similar to those of the proposed community centre offered at venues such as The Gateway and Birchfield have also been mentioned as a contributing factor.

Area South chairman Tony Fife also questioned the commitment from YCA members, saying the council had ended up in a leading role when it was only supposed to be a facilitator of the project.

The council will invite concerned parts for discussions before presenting proposals for a financially reshaped project in May this year.