Plans to close a popular playhouse are to be rethought after pleas from theatregoers.

The Royal Hippodrome Theatre is under threat after a report for Eastbourne Borough Council said it was not cost effective.

But councillors criticised the document at a meeting last night saying it did not go into enough detail and failed to consult those most affected by its closure.

Friends of the theatre, which is owned by the council but run by private contractors, have vowed to fight the plans.

They have already gathered support from showbiz stars including Danny La Rue and Rick Wakeman.

In an unusual step, the tourism, leisure and amenities sub-committee agreed to hear from residents and councillors who do not sit on the board.

Pamela Kuhn, of the Royal Hippodrome Friends, said: "My first reaction was why close such a successful theatre? The town is expanding and now we surely want more theatre seats, not less.

"It's not only part of Eastbourne's heritage but part of the whole country's and I would hate to see it go."

The report, which looked at all four council-owned theatres, concluded that the town had too many seats for its size and population.

The council hopes to consolidate its theatre and conference facilities in a "cultural quarter" in the Devonshire Park area.

As the Royal Hippodrome, which was built in 1883 and is the oldest theatre in Eastbourne, lies in the town centre it is not deemed to fit with the plans despite its popularity.

Coun John Stanbury was booed by onlookers when he said he stood by the report's findings.

He said: "That part of Eastbourne is in a regeneration area which needs to be updated and I think the time has come to move on. We can continue to put on these shows at the Devonshire Park Theatre."

The Tory cabinet voted to reconsider a recommendation to terminate the ten-year lease of the theatre to commercial management company Matpro Productions, which is not due to expire until 2007.

Coun Mike Thompson, chairman of the committee, said: "I'm biased, but I want to keep all of the theatres open. We've heard a lot of pleas from the public and councillors and I think we should refer this back if only to consult with the management of he Hippodrome."

Former councillor Chris Berry, Eastbourne's Liberal Democrat parliamentary hopeful, is setting up a committee to attract showbusiness support for the theatre.