Councillor suggests allowance cut to save Taunton's Brewhouse

The council has also set aside £35,000 for the theatre

Councillors in Taunton are being asked to cut their annual allowance to help rescue the town's theatre which said last week that it would have to close.

The Brewhouse Theatre went into administration after the board said its financial position was "untenable".

Conservative councillor Ian Morrell is going to ask colleagues to give up half of their annual allowance which he said would raise £120,428 for the venue.

The council has also set aside an extra £35,000 "to help protect the property".

Mr Morrell plans to put forward a motion to the full council meeting later.

'Embarrassment'

He said: "Closure of the Brewhouse Theatre is a loss to our community and an embarrassment for the council and the county town."

Taunton Deane's full council meeting to set the budget takes place at 19.30 GMT.

The theatre's future is not on the agenda but the council has extended the usual 15 minutes set aside for public questions to one hour - this will start at 18:30 GMT.

A spokesman for the council said a maximum of 25 people would be allowed into the council chamber and anyone wishing to speak would be allocated four minutes each.

Several local arts groups are also campaigning to save the town's theatre and as many are expected to turn up, the council said it would open the reception area so "people don't have to wait in the cold and the dark".