Baroness Shirley Williams has added her support to a campaign to save a Victorian theatre.

The former Health Secretary took time out from a busy tour of Eastbourne and Polegate yesterday to visit the Royal Hippodrome theatre in Eastbourne.

She joined celebrities such as Max Bygraves, Danny La Rue and musician Rick Wakeman in supporting a campaign by the Royal Hippodrome Friends and Eastbourne Liberal Democrats to save the theatre from closure.

Baroness Williams was shown around the venue by stage manager Paul Simmons and was among the first to admire the theatre's new stage lighting system, just delivered.

The lights, which cost hundreds of pounds, have been bought by the theatre management company Matpro despite fears its lease might be terminated by the council.

The future of the 118-year-old theatre has been in doubt since a council report last month recommended breaking Matpro's ten-year lease and selling it off.

More than 700 people have signed a petition to save the Royal Hippodrome since the council plan was revealed.

Baroness Williams, who was accompanied by prospective parliamentary candidate Chris Berry, said: "I am very pleased indeed to support local Liberal Democrats and the Royal Hippodrome Friends in their campaign to save this wonderful and historic theatre.

"It is utterly beyond me to understand why the council would want to get rid of one of the town's main attractions."