THE Swan Theatre's playwright-in-residence has branded Worcester City Council's plans to cut the venue's grant "short-sighted".

Lance Woodman delivered his new play, which is part of his residency, last Tuesday - the day after the theatre announced that was facing closure.

Now his new work, which is set in Worcester, may not make on to a city stage - and may not make it to a stage at all.

"The Swan gave me my first big break," said Mr Woodman, who has only been able to make writing his full-time occupation over the last year.

"This decision betrays an attitude in the city council of managing a slow decline and not having a vision for the city.

"The Swan is a model of English regional producing theatre and 40 years of community initiative will be lost in a matter of weeks if the grant cut goes ahead," he said.

Mr Woodman vowed to join the growing campaign group fighting to save the Swan. "The theatre is about having a local voice and a local identity," he said.