MARGATE’S £20m homage to Turner will not show any works by the great painter for most of the time.

Bosses of the proposed Turner Centre have revealed that a Turner exhibition will only be held once a year, and shows by contemporary artists at all other times.

Because they thought the centre name would lead many people to expect Turner paintings, they are now calling it Turner Contemporary.

The new branding - designed by the Agenda agency at a cost of around £20,000 - was unveiled during a VIP ceremony in the Norwegian Embassy in London. Norwegian architects are involved in designing the iconic seafront building.

Although the name may eventually be shortened to “The Turner,” project chiefs believe Turner Contemporary more accurately describes what the gallery is all about.

But Roger Gale, MP for Thanet North, made a plea for at least a few of Turner’s works to be shown all the year round.

People coming to Margate would expect to “see a Turner,” he said. “I’d expect to see at least one original Turner painting and maybe some very good copies of his paintings and sketches.” He also wanted to see Turner artifacts on display, such as his pen, brushes and letters.

Cllr Sandy Ezekiel, leader of Thanet council, echoed the call for an all-year Turner show but did not want to see it “dominated by Turner.” If that happened, there would be “no difference between Margate and London.”

Victoria Pomery, director of Turner Contemporary, said the project partners did not own any Turners and it would cost a lot of money to buy one.

“We need to send out very clear messages that you might come to the gallery and there won’t be a Turner original there,” she said.

It was a “unique, exciting and ambitious project” that was important for Margate and East Kent.

She accepted it had critics, but hoped they would come to like it. “It is hard for people in Margate to get their heads around this project but it’s a fantastic project and they should feel so proud of it.”

She hoped visitors to the gallery, due to open in 2007, will “be able to understand why Margate was so special to Turner".

Sarah Hohler, deputy leader of Kent County Council, a key promoter of the project, added: “It’s not just a gallery, but the catalyst for the regeneration of Margate and East Kent.”

Felicity Harvest, regional manager for the Arts Council, which has pledged £4.1m to the project, predicted that it would be one of the leading contemporary art galleries in the country.

Meanwhile, project chiefs have to find a further £16m before construction can start. But they are confident of finding the cash from various sources, including charitable foundations.