NELSON councillors will tonight discuss plans to mothball Nelson's Civic Theatre so a new use can be found for the building.

A Save the Civic Theatre campaign was launched last month amid fears it could close.

But council bosses have stressed permanent closure is a last resort and that the building will be temporarily closed so new uses can be explored.

Pendle's executive committee last month refused a request from Pendle Leisure, which manages the building, to create a revised use.

The former Sunday school building in Stanley Street is used by a number of groups but is in need of a major refurbishment, including repairs to the roof and drains and may have to close until cash can be found for repairs.

Pendle Leisure Trust wants to carry out a review of the theatre and uses could include as a sports hall, health or IT centre.

Plans to build a replacement for the Civic Theatre and the Silverman Hall had to be shelved following the Government decision not to allow the clearance of homes in the Nelson West area.

The decision meant the proposed site for the new buildings could not be used.