DOZENS of mourners dressed in Victorian garb gathered outside the Guildhall in a last-ditch bid to save the Swan Theatre.

More than 10,000 supporters - including a host of celebrities - signed the statement: We the undersigned wholly reject the city council's proposal to cut the Swan Theatre's grant.

Among the famous signatures are poet Roger McGough, actors Kevin Whateley and Imelda Staunton and comedians Tony Hawks, Lee Mack, and Omid Djalili.

Playwrights Sir Alan Ayckbourn and Sir John Mortimer also signed the petition, as have theatre company Hull Truck, Malvern Theatres, and Hereford's Courtyard Theatre.

Campaigners in the procession were wearing Dickensian mourning outfits from the theatre's own costume hire, used in productions such as A Christmas Carol, The Rivals and Victorian Voices.

Amongst the protesters was Naomi Kerbel in a Pinnochio costume - her character in the forthcoming production at the Swan.

When the precession reached the Guildhall at 1.30pm yesterday, board of directors chairman Gerald Harris presented the petition to the city council's chief executive officer David Wareing.

"It will go to the cabinet meeting next Tuesday where they will discuss next year's budget," said Mr Wareing.

"Councillors have a difficult decision make in what to prioritise. But that is what they are elected for.

"I wouldn't accept there's a lack of commitment towards the arts amongst the officers, who I can speak for, and the members, who can speak for themselves."

Supporters of the Swan hoped the petition would sway the council's opinion in deciding to slash the theatre's funding.

Theatre officials are already going through the redundancy process. If the city council does not restore the grant soon, the theatre will close in the New Year.