John Peel Centre in Stowmarket reopening after building work

The new stained glass windows at the centre were designed by Tom Pearman

The John Peel Centre for the Creative Arts is reopening, following the completion of a second phase of building work.

The new £1m arts centre in Stowmarket was closed while a new pair of entrance doors and three stained glass windows were installed.

Fund-raising is now under way for the final phase of building work, which would see a mezzanine floor added along with a lift and cafe bar.

The centre reopens on Saturday.

Legendary radio presenter Peel was a long-term resident of the Stowmarket area before his death in 2004.

Andrew Stringer, Mid Suffolk District Councillor and board member, said the line-up for the reopening weekend showed where the centre was heading.

He said: "We've got Handel's Messiah followed by a night of thrash metal - that's setting our stall out, really."

The recent building work was partly funded by £50,000 awarded by the People's Millions.

Mr Stringer said he hoped a further bid would help complete the project.

"We're eagerly anticipating the outcome of a bid we put in for Biffa, for £500,000, and we should know the outcome of that within the next week or 10 days," he said.

Biffaward is a fund which uses landfill tax credits donated by Biffa Waste Services to fund community and environmental projects.