LOTTERY funding has provided a lifeline to the only theatre in Trowbridge. The Arc Theatre was thrown into crisis last year after it was revealed cash-strapped Wiltshire College would no longer be providing them with a £50,000 annual subsidy.

Now the Arts Council has stepped in with funding of nearly £33,000, which will allow the theatre to carry on commissioning shows for this year.

Director Deryck Newland said: "This funding is available from now and we can continue into spring and summer, then we will have to submit a new bid."

The funding also means the College Road theatre can claim money promised to them by local authorities on condition the Arts Council bid was successful.

Trowbridge Town Council agreed to provide £5,000. West Wiltshire District Council pledged £2,500 and Wiltshire County Council offered a £6,000 grant.

Mr Newland said: "It is good news because they wouldn't be committing themselves to supporting the Arc this year to then leave it in following years.

"They have said it is a strategic part of arts for Wiltshire and now we have that recognition we can go back to them with a positive point of view when it comes to new funding bids."

The Arts Council cash is to be used in three ways for organisational development, including a new member of staff, to support the core funding and for a major research project.

The two-year audience development project will look at current and potential audience of the theatre across west Wiltshire and Kennet districts.

Mr Newland said: "The project will give us information to help us move forward in a strategic way.

"Through it we hope to be better placed to deliver what the public wants."

North Wiltshire and Kennet district councils are also supplying funding to support the project.

The Arc Theatre hosts a wide range of events each year, including dance, theatre, music and specialised children's events.

The spring programme, running from January to April, includes the New Theatre Company's Romeo and Juliet, Icon Theatre's production of five of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and the Trowbridge Players' interpretation of Willy Russell's Educating Rita.

For children there are productions of Grimms Fairy Tales, Hansel and Gretel, Brer Rabbit and Pippi Longstockings.