compromise plans have been drawn up to allow the former Toy Museum to be used as a gallery for local artists and as a workshop centre for disabled people.

Originally Herefordshire Council only had plans for the workshop centre.

But now it is taking an approach by Ledbury-based artists' group Artistree on board, after it expressed interest in the building for a permanent base.

Artistree, which has 33 members, is now hoping for an Easter exhibition at the Church Lane building.

Herefordshire Council is looking to have all consents and agreements in place by the end of March, which could make this possible.

It has effectively applied to itself for planning permission to change the use of the building from office space to an arts studio and gallery.

Artistree founder member Wendy Ruddick said: "I am very pleased, and we are dying to get in and get our exhibits up.

"We hope to use at least the top part of the building for our exhibitions, starting with an exhibition at Easter, leading to a year of events."

Social services is as keen to convert the building into a "Work Match" centre, where disabled people would learn artistic skills which could lead on to employment.

Ledbury Town Council will be asked for permission for disabled access across its rear courtyard into the building. It has already given its formal backing to the Artistree proposal.

Andrew Husbands, Herefordshire's valuer and estates surveyor, said: "By late March, all the red tape should be dealt with. By April the adaptation process could start. There's not a great deal that physically needs to be done."