A MAJOR contribution of nearly £3 million to the Palace Theatre's massive restoration project is being hidden from the public, according to an angry councillor.

Liberal Democrat councillor Nigel Hicks said despite funding the vast majority of the £3.7m scheme, Redditch Council's lack of signage on the Alcester Road construction site means residents are still in the dark about how their council tax is being spent.

The only existing signs bear the name of the Heritage Lottery Fund, which has awarded nearly £1m to the theatre revamp.

Mr Hicks said: "As the principal funding body we finally have something to shout about. Where are Redditch Council's great big signs?"

He added: "As a council we're absolutely useless at telling residents what we're doing for our town. This is a point I've raised time and time again and it makes me particularly angry when a project is as major as this."

The Palace Theatre has been closed since April to undergo an extensive refurbishment project aiming to restore the Grade Two listed building to its former glory.

Many of the internal and external features, such as the windows, light fixtures and decorations, will be returned to their original 1913 design and a new foyer built.

The council's head of leisure services, Ken Watkins, said officers were working on signage to explain the construction work and how the project would be funded.

He added: "The production of these boards has been delayed because we have been working to incorporate artists' impressions and architectural drawings to enable people to see the building emerge as works progress."