A GRANT of £40,000 has been agreed by Brockenhurst councillors which could trigger enough government cash to build a theatre for the central New Forest.

Councillors have agreed to release the grant to the Brockenhurst Village Trust, which has plans for a massive redevelopment of the village hall site in Highwood Road.

The parish council saved the £40,000 from five years of annual precepts, and earmarked the money for developing Highwood Road land - bought three years ago from Hampshire County Council.

The details of the Arts Council bid are being kept under wraps until the trust makes its official launch on October 15, but it is thought to be up to £600,000 to fund a proper theatre - with stepped seating and dressing rooms - to attract professional performers.

Councillor John Purkess, who chairs Brockenhurst Village Trust, said: "The trust is responsible for developing facilities for the community on the Highwood Road site.

"The project in hand is an extension of the hall to provide a stage, and a day centre for the elderly. The local GP surgery requires more land to improve facilities and possibly we are looking at a new youth centre in the future."

Councillor Nina Ball wanted to know more detail, adding: "You have not sold this to me. Years are passing and nothing is happening. People like to know what is going on before you can get this money from the precept."

Councillor Jack Place said: "What is the vision here? If you are now asking for the funds to be released we want to know what you are going to do with the money."

Cllr Purkess said the trust needed to be able to tell the Arts Council that certain funding was already in place, to boost their chances of getting the bigger pot of cash.

He said: "We need to tell them that the community is behind the bid."

Councillors voted - with three abstentions - to release the grant for the village hall site project.