A THEATRE group which works with young people in Swindon today warned that it will pull out of the town if it loses its council grant.

The Sixth Sense Theatre Company has been working in the town since 1986, often touring schools as part of its outreach work to bring drama to children.

But that work will come to a halt if Swindon Council decides it should cut a £30,000 annual grant it gives to the charity.

Councillors will meet tonight (Wednesday) to discuss the implications of a Government decision to underfund the borough to the tune of £300,000.

They will look at two scenarios, discussing the implications of both a four per cent and a 9.5 per cent rise in this year's Council Tax bill.

Council leader Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawns) has warned of difficult decisions ahead.

But Sixth Sense artistic director Benedict Eccles says any cut in its budget will have a devastating effect on its work because it will lose a further £120,000 in match funding.

He said: "By cutting Sixth Sense's grant the council will force the closure of nationally acclaimed projects.

"The lack of cultural activities and investment leaves no one in doubt Swindon is a cultural desert and culturally void."

Suggestions for savings made in the report by council chief executive Paul Doherty include mothballing the Town Hall, currently the home of Swindon Dance, or offering it for alternative use.

Out of school clubs could be reduced and 10 smaller libraries could close as part of a move to create seven "centres of excellence".

It outlines the benefits financially of closing an old people's home in the town, together with reducing school transport and reducing the support given to foster carers.

The options will be discussed at tonight's meeting and will also be subject to the public consultation before the budget is set early next year.