England's most northern arts hub £28m revamp plan

The venue will include a theatre and two cinemas

Plans have been submitted for the redevelopment of England's most northerly arts venue.

The £28.3m project for Berwick's Maltings will include a theatre, two full-time cinemas, a rehearsal space and an expanded cafe and bar.

Public consultation events on the proposals were held earlier this year after the charity which runs the venue, The Maltings (Berwick) Trust, described its current building as being in a "sorry state".

Chair Scott Sherrard, said the proposals would be "an engine for much-needed regeneration" and a "one-off opportunity for lasting change".

Berwick-upon-Tweed is England's most northerly town and a gateway to the Scottish border

The Maltings is England's most northerly venue, with panoramic views across the 17th Century old Berwick Bridge and the Tweed Estuary.

It was built in the ruins of a 19th Century Maltings and opened in 1990.

But a 2016 report by the county council said it needed significant investment with particular issues around accessibility and energy costs.

Plans were drawn up for a complete rebuild and in 2021 the cost was estimated at £17.7m.

That has now risen to £28.34m, made up of £25.5m from the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal funded by the UK and Scottish governments, and £2.84m from Northumberland County Council.

It will also fund a temporary cinema in Berwick's historic Barracks which has already begun showing films.

A temporary cinema has been set up in Berwick Barracks

In a statement on the charity's website Mr Sherrard said: "The formal planning application marks an important step forward.

"We'll leave the building on 31 May and the construction programme begins in the summer and we plan to be back in 2027."

The county council said 336 people responded to the consultation with more than two-thirds in support.

The plans will be available to view on its website from March 17.

Conservative leader Glen Sanderson said: "The new image looks stunning and I am sure the new venue has the potential to be a fantastic addition to this wonderful town."