A BUYER is urgently being sought for cult Southampton music venue The Brook, which could have seen its last gig this weekend.

A sell-out performance by iconic blind jazz guitarist Jeff Healey on Saturday may be the last ever after the Portswood venue went bust.

As many as 600 people were expected for the event, just some of the tens of thousands of music lovers The Brook attracted to Southampton.

Fans of the venue have started an online "guest book" to offer their support.

Already the liquidators have reported "significant interest" in the night-spot, which is being touted to potential buyers across the UK.

They are hopeful a buyer will be found and the venue, which has hosted music legends such as Bill Wyman and John Martin, will continue.

Despite the high profile performers and attracting "enormous numbers of visitors from across four southern counties and beyond", the Portswood Road venue has "floundered".

Owned by a partnership between founders Richard Davey and Bryn Lewis, the building that houses the venue was put on the market for £900,000 earlier this month by Southampton construction magnate Patrick Trant who holds it as a personal investment.

Antony Fanshawe of the Southampton-based insolvency, reconstruction and corporate finance firm, Fanshawe Lofts, was appointed as liquidator.

He said: "The Brook is a high-profile music venue. It has become something of a local institution and it would be a great shame to see it close its doors - but we're working hard to ensure that won't need to happen. A guest book has been launched on The Brook website for all those who have enjoyed gigs at the venue and especially for its many regulars who want to offer their support.

"Because of the popularity of the venue, it is our belief that we can secure a buyer to purchase the business as a going concern and take it forward for the local community.

"In the first few days alone there has been significant interest and approaches made by potential purchasers. But we are actively looking for more and potentially interested parties should get in touch immediately.

"The Brook management are clearly devastated at finding themselves in this position and are extremely concerned about letting people down. As such they are co-operating fully with our liquidation team and jointly we hope we can reach a positive conclusion."