BOSSES at Worcester's Swan Theatre say they welcome plans to build a new venue at the Castle Street hospital site.

Proposals are in the pipeline to convert the building - which will be left empty when the new hospital opens next year - into housing, offices, a restaurant and a theatre.

Jenny Stephens, artistic director at the theatre, said if the plans went through it would be a real boost for the arts.

"There are certain things we haven't got at the moment which could be improved on," she said.

"There isn't enough room for the young people's workshops and access is difficult.

"The building is great but it is showing its age and we all need to have better things for the future."

Mrs Stephens made her comments at a meeting of the community services policy and review committee.

The committee had invited representatives of the theatre to the meeting to make a presentation on the work they do and achievements they have made.

In the future the committee will have an input into whether the theatre receives any cash from the council.

At present, the council contributes £137,000 a year to the running of the Swan, the largest single grant it pays out.