WALTHAM Forest residents are in danger of missing out on the 2012 Cultural Olympiad due to a lack of space for artists.

That was the main message from a meeting about the Olympiad held in Waltham Forest Theatre, Lloyd Park, Walthamstow.

The new head of culture at the 2012 Olympic organising committee, Keith Khan, gave a presentation, outlining what the Cultural Olympiad will do and how local artists can get involved.

But those at the coal face of creation said they were struggling.

"We don't have any venues in Waltham Forest as many have been closed down and sold off for housing," said Adrian Stannard of Waltham Forest Civic Society. "What we need is places for people to perform."

Painter Shanti Thomas of Maynard Road, Walthamstow, said rising property prices due to the Olympic effect were threatening artists' studios, despite many of them moving there from Hackney because it was cheaper.

Artist Jonathan O'Dea, of Markhouse Road, suggested the Olympic corporate sponsors should be encouraged to put up the cash for a venue, warning that in five years time if there was no space to put on exhibitions or performances, the borough would miss out.

"We have to fight our corner," he said.

And Nick Mason of Forest Philharmonic Orchestra said that after 40 years in Waltham Forest the orchestra was facing dispersal to other boroughs due to a lack of rehearsal and performance space.

Olympic youth ambassador, Steven Cheung, of Greenwood Drive, Walthamstow, pointed out that Waltham Forest was a deprived area and many people could not usually afford to access the arts.

Other artists said that it was important that goodwill was not relied on to produce work for free.

Mr Khan agreed that the issue of poverty was important and said he realised that many artists were on a low income and needed to be paid for their work.

But he admitted that no extra funding would be available for local groups.

THE cultural life of the borough could get a £1.5m cash boost if a new bid is approved.

Speaking during a separate discussion after 2012 Head of Culture Mr Khan left, cabinet member for arts and culture Cllr Geraldine Reardon, head of cultural services Clive Morton and community services director Mimi Konigsberg said the council's cultural services department is planning the bid, but it needed to be specific to succeed.

But the three came under fire during the debate.

Conservative leader Matt Davis slammed the council's new cultural strategy, unveiled a few days before.

"It seems to me when we can't find £50,000 to keep Vestry House open or £92,000 to keep William Morris Gallery open, I can't see how we're going to find the money for this."

Others complained they were given no help from the council to access money from companies or the Lottery.

Mr Morton said his department was considering creating a post to do this, adding: "Over time it could more than pay for itself."

THE Cultural Olympiad will be more than just "the arts" according to 2012's head of culture, Keith Khan.

He said "culture" would include technology, fashion, film, websites, design, circus, heritage, museums and well-being but details are not yet finalised.

An Olympic proms and international Shakespeare festival, an international cultural festival and an international youth festival and 2012 carnival are all planned.

Mr Khan added that it was important that 2012 was the first Games where Olympic and Paralympic events were organised together.

He added: "The IOC strongly believes Beijing is the last of the old- fashioned games and London is the first of the new. They identified that London is a community in its Renaissance."