AN historic building saved by £2 pledges from supporters opens its doors tonight.

Campaigners fighting to save the Grade II-listed Foxlowe building in Leek had faced a race against time because the owners warned they were not prepared for it to remain empty for another winter.

Residents rallied in support of a battle cry to save it and 250 people signed up to pledge £2 a week.

Fund-raising efforts were boosted by an anonymous benefactor who gave £10,000, half of his pension settlement, while other supporters handed over sums of up to £2,000.

The cash will pay for the first year's lease on the Georgian building, which supporters hope to turn into an arts and heritage centre.

A consortium led by businessman Roger Warrillow, former Leek Mayor Colin Broome and Peter Kent-Bagguley clinched the deal to take it over.

They have set up a company, Foxlowe Arts Centre, which they have registered with the Charity Commission.

The landmark building will re-open with an art exhibition tonight and it is hoped the cafe will open on Wednesday.

An army of volunteers have helped with the refurbishment, stripping wallpaper and sanding floors to help spruce it up in time for its reopening.

Former Stoke-on-Trent city councillor Mr Kent-Bagguley, who lives in Leek, said the plan was to turn the three-storey Georgian building into an arts and heritage centre.

Mr Kent-Bagguley, who has been granted a premises licence for the venue, said: "If it had not been for the £2 pledges we would not have been able to go-ahead. Then out-of-the blue we had a £10,000 donation, which was a real act of faith.

"Then someone came along and gave us £2,000. Someone else gave £1,000 and there were other donations of £600 and £200.

"It is now important that we get it up and running so we have a steady stream of income.

"We have had a lot of help with the refurbishment and the cleaning.

"We hope it will be successful and well-supported. We have certainly been buoyed by the support we have received so far."

The cafe will be open from Wednesday to Saturday from 10am until 7pm and on Sunday from 11pm until 4pm. It will be staffed by two part-time workers.

The exhibition can be viewed between 6.30pm and 9pm. It features work by artists David Hunt, Jonathan Walker and Anita Hill.

Mr Warrillow, of Leek, said: "We hope the venue will grow from strength to strength.

"We aim to work with Leek College and arts groups to become the cultural centre of the town."