IF Worcester is to thrive as a city in the next few decades it needs to provide better entertainment facilities - not worse ones - for the increasing number of people who live in and around it.

In 20 years time, as its population nears the 120,000 mark, it will need to draw the best performers to the Faithful City.

Many will realise that, in the same way that Worcester needs a new football stadium to help the future development of the club and the city, it also demands top quality facilities for the arts.

But against that background, the news that the Swan Theatre has the Sword of Damocles hanging over it for the second time in just four years is grim indeed.

The Swan has had many devoted supporters over the years and has worked hard to build increasingly strong ties with the community.

But it seems, once again, that in the queue for financial support the arts are at the very bottom. It's a depressing picture but it need not be.

What's needed is the leadership that will give Worcester what it truly needs - a high-quality centre that can offer space to not only theatre but also to music, comedy and, perhaps, even an art gallery.

The city deserves to see the courage and vision that - in spite of many financial difficulties - has made, for example, the Huntington Hall such a success and developed the Courtyard Theatre in Hereford into an outstanding venue.