A lottery bid for £1.5million to modernise the Palace Theatre, Paignton, was withdrawn by Torbay Council to keep the project alive.

The news of the withdrawn Lottery bid dismayed the council's Tory leader Jean Turnbull. She asked for clarification why the bid was pulled.

In a series of questions to theatres councillor Colin Charlwood she said: "This is a project close to the heart of not only Paigntonians but also a much wider community.

"I ask that this issue is brought to a satisfactory conclusion as quickly as possible."

Cllr Charlwood said: "They did not want to turn it down and refuse it, and that is why they asked us to withdraw it."

Had the plan been refused, that would have been the end of the chance of getting Lottery cash.

In a written answer to Mrs Turnbull, he said: "Both English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund remain supportive of finding a solution to the long term future of the Palace Theatre.

"The Heritage Lottery Fund are currently working closely with the council to establish an appropriate level of funding they can support for the repair and interpretation of the heritage related aspects of the project."

He said they are also helping in the search for other possible cash sources.

"The council expects to make a revised submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund and other funding partners once further advice is received."

He said £10,00 had been spent on consultants' fees in preparing the bid, but no unnecessary work had been carried out as it will all be used in a fresh bid.