Protesters battling to secure the future of Bexhill's De La Warr Pavilion were celebrating today after councillors agreed to push ahead with a Lottery bid.

Plans to sell off the Grade 1 listed building to a private investor sparked a public outcry, with more than 5,000 people signing a petition.

And last night Rother District Council bowed down to public pressure and pledged its support for a second Lottery application.

A successful bid will enable the council to maintain the building as a community theatre and arts centre.

At a meeting at Bexhill Town Hall, Tory councillors queued up to say that this was not a U-turn.

But they were mocked by Labour and the Liberal Democrats, who proclaimed the turnaround a victory for the pavilion campaigners.

Coun Sue Prochak said: "It is public pressure which has made this happen and it proves that democracy does work sometimes."

The prized seafront venue is in need of major investment to secure its long-term future.

After an initial Lottery application failed, the regeneration and tourism committee pressed ahead with finding outside investment despite a recommendation by council officers that a Lottery grant was the best way forward.

Talks with the pub giant Wetherspoons over a potential takeover were initiated but collapsed last month.

Now efforts to attract interest from the private sector will be put on hold until the outcome of the Lottery bid is known.