A documentary on the last months of an arts centre is being funded by the organisations whose cuts contributed to its closure.

Award-winning film-maker Michele D'Acosta will shoot a fly-on-the-wall documentary about the final season at Gardner Arts Centre in Brighton.

The film is being funded by Brighton and Hove City Council and the Arts Council South East.

Last month, Brighton and Hove City Council withdrew its annual £30,000 grant to the venue, which prompted the Arts Council to stop its funding from next July.

Both organisations axed their finance for the centre, based at the University of Sussex in Falmer, in favour of city centre arts projects.

The venue will shut in April as the Grade II listed building, owned by the university, needs about £14 million in improvements to keep running.

Emma Riley, from the Gardner, said it was ironic Ms D'Acosta's film would be funded by the groups which axed the centre's funding.

She said the venue's closure was inevitable but the documentary would provide a lasting legacy.

Theatre companies and artists are angry about the closure of the venue.

Olivia Jacobs and Toby Mitchell, joint artistic directors of Tall Stories Theatre Company, have been producing this year's Christmas show The Gruffalo's Child.

They said: "We have been made very welcome by the friendly and efficient staff. The show is enjoyed by many enthusiastic children and parents. The Gardner Arts Centre is known for brave, intelligent programming and appreciative, loyal audiences."

Susan Smillie, who used to work at the centre, said: "It is a thriving venue that ticks all the boxes - from nurturing young companies to providing subsidised tickets for new work. I feel the region is losing something very special."

Choreographer Jasmin Vardimon said: "It's one of the few venues outside London committed to building contemporary dance audiences. I hope it won't be a final decision."

Michelle's 45-minute film is expected to be premiered at the Brighton Festival in May.

Anyone with photographs, posters, programmes or with memories to share for the documentary should email info@gardnerarts.co.uk