A TOWN'S 100-year-old theatre may be forced to close as a local authority struggles to cope with a cash crisis.

The closure of Hartlepool's Town Hall Theatre is expected to save the struggling local authority around £1.75m next year.

A failure to attract big name stars who regularly appear in neighbouring towns such as Darlington and Billingham has been blamed on the theatre's poor fortunes in recent years.

Closing the 104-year-old theatre is highlighted in a Hartlepool Borough Council cabinet document which looks at ways of making savings.

Council bosses were asked to come up with "forecast" budget strategies for the next financial year, starting in April 2003, which targeted total savings of £1.75m.

Janet Barker, director of community services, said: "This saving would need to be achieved from a combination of closure of a major community facility, such as the Town Hall Theatre, and a reduction in community pool grants."

The council still also has to learn whether it is a winner in the Government's shake-up of town hall funding, which could mean between £1m and £9m extra coming to Hartlepool.

The Town Hall Theatre, which seats 400 people, has been struggling to pack in the crowds recently and operated at less than half capacity throughout last year.

Paul Thompson, whose Footlights Theatre company stages at least ten Town Hall shows a year, said: "It would be a tragedy if that place was closed down. The Town Hall Theatre gives the kids a sense of professionalism. It's the best venue in town for what we do."