ABOUT £1 million extra will be spent on revamping the Palace Theatre as part of an ongoing project to bring it "in keeping with the rest of the town".

Eighteen months ago, Redditch Council allocated more than £1 million to be spent on improving the Alcester Street theatre.

A working party was set up to see how the money could be spent and at a full council meeting last week, councillors agreed to a number of ideas.

Labour group leader Councillor David Cartwright said: "The group has now come up with two or three designs which will cost about double the amount we originally allocated.

"We will try to get some of the additional funding from outside bodies rather than inside the council but the council may have to put some more in itself."

Mr Cartwright said the proposals for the theatre included revamping the outside and creating an area inside where people could just go for something to eat or drink.

He said: "We are hoping a proportion of the extra money needed will come from the lottery.

"We should be able to get external funding for all of the work inside the theatre. But the council has spare capital to use.

"When you walk down Alcester Street, it is quite nice with all the pubs, Threadneedle House and the town hall but at the moment the theatre looks terrible in relation to the things around it.

"Something needs to be done to its appearance to make sure it stays in keeping with the rest of the town," he added.