A POPULAR theatre will continue to be subsidised by its council for an extended period while discussions continue about its future.

Darlington Borough Council has marketed the town's Civic Theatre as a going concern after deciding to withdraw its subsidy as a result of budget cuts.

Nine theatre companies or groups have expressed an interest in buying the 103-yearold venue.

The council, which has owned the theatre since 1966, wants to find a new operator after it cut £19.5m from its budget over four years.

Its initial timetable was to hand over to a new operator or close the venue by the start of next year. However, Councillor Nick Wallis, cabinet member for leisure, said the cabinet has approved a further subsidy. Last year, it gave £585,483 to the venue.

Coun Wallis said: "The council is very positive about the future of the Civic Theatre and the process to secure an operator for the theatre is ongoing.

"The council's cabinet has approved a further subsidy to allow the council to continue to run the theatre until July 2012, while we have further discussions with various theatre and management companies to find a resolution, on the basis that a council subsidy may be available.

"In themeantime, the Civic continues to present exciting and popular shows and had its most popular ever production last month with The Calendar Girls.

"This decision to extend temporary funding to the Civic Theatre, however, does not change the very difficult financial position the council finds itself in owing to the Government cuts.

"We have a duty to balance the books, but supporting the theatre for several months whilst further options are being explored is the right thing to do."