PLANS to re-roof a cinema are set to cost more than £50,000 after a bid for a National Lottery grant was refused.

The roof of Halstead's Empire Theatre has been "deteriorating steadily" over the past few years.

With minor repairs to loose slates and more major costs if water gets in, it has been costing at least £500 a year to patch up the roof.

The council wants to replace the theatre roof and was hoping to secure funding.

It applied for a National Lottery grant to help with the work, but the bid was unsuccessful.

A council spokesman said: “Replacement of the roof at the Empire Theatre has been under consideration for some time.

“An application for funding was made to the National Lottery, but after many months of waiting, the council was told in mid February that the lottery will not fund the roof.”

The council has also set aside money in a contingency fund for the project.

The spokesman said: “With an understanding of the fact that the Lottery funds might not be forthcoming, the council has been putting funds away in earmarked reserves to cover the repair.

“Costs have of course risen significantly since the Lottery application was made.

“It is likely that the surplus for the current financial year will be greater than expected at the time of the budget, and it would be prudent to use some of the unpredicted surplus to make up the difference, in order to pay the bill.”

The repairs come with a £54,000 price-tag.

The council says there should be "little disruption" to the functioning of the theatre during the work.

The subject was discussed at a town council meeting on Monday.

Councillor Andy Munday said: "I have personally been trying to get this project off the ground for many years and now is the time to really put this to action.

"I would really like to champion this as I am a trustee.

"We should move along with quote three."

Councillor Janet Atkinson also said she was "pleased to see the work is finally being done".

Councillors unanimously agreed to go ahead with the plans.