BOROUGH council proposals to turn the Leigh Ballroom at Eastleigh into a youth centre have sparked a campaign to keep it as a dance hall.

Leading the call are husband and wife, Robert and Linda Bellinger, who have been dancing together since their childhood.

The Southampton couple lease the building from the council and use it for dance classes and other events, such as tea dances and children’s parties, attracting up to 300 people a week.

Among the many talented dancers they have helped is Strictly Come Dancing winning professional, Karen Hardy, and Hampshire duo, James Prouton and Claire Taplin.

Their own daughter, Lisa Ivanets, and her husband, Alexi, are UK Latin American champions.

But their lease on the ballroom ends this week and it isn’t being renewed. “There will never be another place like this, that’s for sure," said Linda, 56. Robert, 57, added: “We have been pushed out. It is very sad. It is a family place and we hold all kinds of events here.”

More than 50 people have already written their memories from over the years in a special book objecting to the closure.

With demand for facilities for youngsters in the town, the council wants to convert the ballroom into a dedicated youth activities centre.

The revamp would cost £680,000 and it would transform the building into a youth centre, with pool tables, internet links and counselling services.

The borough has put up £580,000 with the remainder coming from the county council, which would be paying for youth workers to manage the centre.

However, campaigners say the borough doesn’t appear to be aware of just how popular the ballroom is.

Barbara Thompson, 54, who lives near Winchester, has been a regular there for six years.

She says people from all over the county flock to the hall and it is always packed with dancers who range in age from three to 90.

“This is an ideal place for dancing and keeping fit and everyone is upset about the news,” she said.

“I’m astonished at the decision and the people I have spoken to are furious. In some cases, several generations of one family have learned to dance there.”

Over the years, the building has served the town not only as a dance hall, but also as a roller-skating ring and, during World War II, as a medical centre.

Barry Chinchen, chairman of Eastleigh and District Local History Society, said he had found a ticket stub in a box of his grandmother’s things from a dance which she had gone to at the hall in 1915.

The council claims there are several other venues in the town suitable for dance classes and Leader, Keith House, said: “This is an exciting scheme that will provide a much-needed youth facility for the town centre.”

The plan is due to be considered next by Eastleigh Local Area Committee in January.

“If approved, we will look forward to working with the community to provide an excellent venue for youngsters,” said Mr House.

In the meantime, the ballroom staged its traditional Christmas party for all its young dancers, knowing that it could be the last to be held at the venue.