ESSENTIAL work to repair the Regent Centre in Christchurch can go ahead now funding has been approved.

Members of Christchurch council's resources committee approved the £550,000 needed to carry out repairs to the centre.

And backing was given to the Christchurch theatre from members who praised the "brilliant asset".

The essential work to repair the defects to the south wall of the popular Christchurch arts centre is likely to take up to four months and could take place in summer 2019.

The chairman of the Regent Centre wrote to councillors to ask for work to be scheduled carefully, or risk 'crippling' the theatre.

Severe corrosion to the steel frame of the auditorium was discovered in July during repairs to the external render.

Although most serious on south wall, corrosion was also found on the north wall as well.

The circle seating was closed until a temporary prop could be installed in September.

Cllr Colin Bungey said: "What concerns me is that in 2019 we might not exist any more.

"Can we guarantee this is safe? I do not trust any new authority to go ahead with what we decide here today."

Lindsay Cass, head of property and engineering said if the council was to move into a new unitary before the work had started, it was unlikely to affect the work.

"Our view as officers was this council takes this work very seriously and the new unitary would do the same", he told the meeting.

He also said work to erect the scaffold was "urgent" but remaining work after that could wait.

Strategic director, Ian Milner, added: "If there is a contract in place then it is unlikely this would not go ahead.

"Any property officer would recommended this work go ahead or the building would continue to deteriorate."