WORLD-famous stars like ballerina and Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell, opera singer Elizabeth Watts and violinist Tamsin Waley Cohen could be lined to come to Taunton.

They could be included on a wish list of top class performers who could help transform the county town into a regional hub for the arts and culture.

A conference heard yesterday (Wednesday) of a “once in a lifetime opportunity” to boost Taunton’s cultural appeal by replacing the ageing Brewhouse Theatre with a 1,000-seat entertainment centre.

Delegates also heard of plans for a sculpture trail, including an iconic art piece to rival the Angel of the North.

Business taskforce TauntonForward and ArtsTaunton joined forces to host the Culture Pays event at the Castle Hotel, attended by leading figures from business, local government and the arts.

They believe their proposals would boost the local economy and attract much-needed quality inward investment, as well as attracting world-class performers to Taunton.

Keynote speakers included Sir Peter Bazalgate, chairman of Arts Council England, and Dr Harry Brünjes, chairman of English National Opera, while there were presentations on cultural regeneration projects in Norwich and Gateshead.

Kit Chapman, chairman of ArtsTaunton and a director of TauntonForward, told the County Gazette: “The centre of Taunton from the railway station through to Firepool, the River Tone and Coal Orchard, is poised for a massive redevelopment programme.

“We have a golden opportunity here, indeed a unique once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, to do something spectacular with our town and put it on the map.

“Our aim is two-fold - to create a world-class urban sculpture trail starting at Taunton Station with a monumental artwork by the side of the track on the scale of Gateshead’s Angel of the North; and, secondly, to see a new flexible and sustainable entertainment space, seating up to 1,000 people, to replace the Brewhouse Theatre at Coal Orchard.

“The purpose of the conference was to demonstrate to the decision-makers of Taunton and Somerset that it can be done.”