WAG puts pressure on

There wasn't even standing room in the public gallery as supporters of the campaign to keep the Littlehampton theatre open packed the meeting in a unanimous show of support which prompted a round of applause from councillors.

After relentless campaigning by the group, the council's marketing brief due to be released in the autumn is expected to say a theatre will remain on the Windmill site and councillors are currently looking at ways to keep the centre open.

WAG chairman Jackie Mallinson said the petition had been very well supported by local people.

"People just took copies of the petition, photocopied them and then filled them," she said.

"We also had a good response to our float at the carnival. People clapped and cheered when they saw it go by.

"It's something people feel very strongly about," she said.

John Stride, head of leisure services at the council said a very early draft of the marketing brief had been well received at a meeting between Arun District Council, Littlehampton Town Council and the Windmill Action Group, earlier this month.

"Fine tuning of the document is taking place over the next few weeks," he said.