A mystery buyer has come forward to save Eastbourne's Royal Hippodrome Theatre.

If the offer is accepted, the deal could put an end to months of uncertainty surrounding the listed Victorian theatre.

Its future has hung in the balance since a report for Eastbourne Borough Council in March recommended selling the building.

The Hippodrome was granted listed building status last month, securing its future as a theatre, but concerns have remained about a lack of funds to carry out vital repair work.

The council, which owns the theatre and leases it to production company Matpro, has estimated at least £400,000 of urgent work needs to be carried out on the building's structure.

The end of the theatre's financial problems may now be in sight as the would-be buyer has pledged to cover the costs of the work and restore the building to its Victorian splendour.

If the offer is accepted, work to restore it could begin as soon as October.

The buyer has not been named but is thought to be an Eastbourne resident who is a member of the Royal Hippodrome Friends.

The organisation's chairman Pamela Kuhn said: "I have been sworn to secrecy about this person's identity.

"It was a great surprise when we first found out about the proposal as it had never crossed our minds someone might be able to buy it. I don't know if any exact figure has been mentioned yet.

"I think the person has just asked the council how much they want for it. Now we are just waiting to find out it the offer will be accepted by the council. If it is, I know this person has some very exciting plans for the theatre."

Theatre manager John Pleydell said: "We are not talking about a conglomerate wanting to turn it into a cinema or anything ghastly.

"If anything the theatre would be restored back to its 1880s splendour. It is a gem, unfortunately a little known one, but undoubtedly the best interests of the theatre are being kept at heart."

He added: "An approach has been made saying we are interested and asking whether the council is prepared to sell it and at what price.

"The ideal situation would be if the council said, 'We need to spend £400,000 to bring it up to standard, so we are prepared to sell it for a £1' and hand over the freehold. But the chances of that, I would say, are very slim."

Council leader Graham Marsden confirmed the Friends had made an approach to the council to purchase the theatre and said more detailed discussion was to be carried out on the proposal.

He said: "I had a long and fruitful discussion the other day with representatives of the Friends of the Royal Hippodrome.

"It was good to see that the Friends and the council share many common values about the town, including theatre provision generally and the Royal Hippodrome itself. I would hope that this co-operation can continue for the future."