A BID for lottery cash to boost plans for a multi-arts venue in Clitheroe has been rejected.

Ribble Valley Council wanted to develop the complex at the award-winning Clitheroe Civic Hall Cinema, one of East Lancashire's last remaining independent cinemas, and the nearby Clitheroe Parish Hall.

A working group was formed to look at the future of the cinema after a drop in audiences.

Councillors were told the cinema was unlikely to be viable and that the trustees of the parish hall were preparing a lottery bid.

The were told that the joint proposal would result in a superb, cost-effective and flexible facility and provide the possibility of retaining some cinema provision.

But councillors have heard that the scheme has been rejected by lottery chiefs on financial, design and marketing grounds.

Now angry councillors are to ask for further information as to why the scheme was given the thumbs-down.

Director of commercial services John Heap said: "The reasons for refusal show no resemblance to what was asked for in a feasibility application and we feel these are stock responses to justify lack of support. The working group is very disappointed with the decision and we feel more accurate feedback is deserved."

He told the meeting that officers had written to the Lotteries Board asking for justification of the decision.

A £1 million lottery bid for Clitheroe Castle, rejected by lottery chiefs in the summer, is shortly to be re-submitted.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.