PRESTON could soon be dancing the night away -- in the Harris Museum!

In a report this month, council chiefs have set out their plans for the historic Harris Museum and Art Gallery.

Part of the scheme, to take place over the next five years, could see the museum granted a public entertainment licence, giving bosses the power to hold music and dancing.

Plans are afoot to hold nights of music and theatre in the grade one listed building.

Councillor Veronica Afrin, cabinet member for regeneration, community and leisure at Preston City Council, said: "You can imagine intimate theatre and intimate music, because quite obviously we aren't going to knock pillars down! The building would have to be kept as it is.

"So it wouldn't be suitable for the Liverpool Philharmonic, but it would be suitable for schoolchildren."

Local groups are supporting the idea, and Michael Lockwood of Preston Arts Society, said: "One of the problems in Preston is there is a lack of venues. Let's look forward to this."

According to the council, there are three types of licence museum bosses could choose from.

Mike Thorpe, head of licensing, said: "We will treat it like any other building, whether it's owned by the council or not. A public entertainment licence can mean many things, but it's usually public music -- with the provision of music; live music by a band; or public music with dancing -- with live music and dancing taking place.

"They would have to specify what type would take place. Most put public music and dancing."

But Coun Afrin admitted that work needs to be done to bring the venue up to standard, including improved disabled access.

She explained: "It isn't ideal for wheelchairs. Although we have the ramp into the building, moving about isn't easy. They would have to change quite a lot of things, certainly the access between the floors."