A NEW dawn has broken at the Swan Theatre as Huntingdon Arts has finally been given the go-ahead to take over the management.

Worcester City Council's cabinet last night agreed some of the terms and conditions that will be part of a six-year lease for the group, which already successfully runs Huntingdon Hall.

Speaking after the meeting, Chris Jaeger, the director of Huntingdon Hall, said he was "hugely relieved" that the political process was over.

"We want to draw a line under all that now and move forward to try and make this a wonderful theatre for the people of Worcester," he said.

Mr Jaeger added that his optimism was tainted by the old Swan's demise and its staff losing their jobs.

"I am deeply sorry for the people who have lost their jobs as a result of the old Swan going, and I'm sorry that the producing house has gone.

"We need to spare a thought for the body of work that was done before," he said.

The Swan board is due to hand over the keys to the city council tomorrow in exchange for a sum of money to pay for the theatre's fixtures and fittings.

Huntingdon Arts now has five weeks to prepare the venue so that it can open on Tuesday, April 29, with Great Witley Operatic Society's production of Pirates of Penzance.

This will be the start of 16 weeks of amateur shows. Meanwhile, plans are in place for a season of professional productions in the autumn.