FUTURE plans for Worthing's Connaught Theatre will be unveiled in the next 48 hours.

The Argus can reveal a meeting was held last night to discuss the landmark building.

It is thought managers at the Connaught, which has been running for over 60 years, are working with the borough council on new plans for the site.

Both the council and the theatre today refused to comment on what was discussed at the meeting.

But they promised to make the plans public over the next two days.

David Smith, theatre administrator, said: "We had a staff meeting last night to discuss proposals for the future running of the theatre.

"At the moment, this is just at discussion stage. We are notmaking a public statement about this until later in the week when we have liaised with the council."

He denied the meeting was held to discuss a funding crisis at the venue and pledged that the Connaught would remain in the town.

And Hywel Griffiths, head of leisure at the council, said: "We will not be commenting until tomorrow, when we will issue a joint statement with the theatre."

The theatre has been one of the most prestigious and influential venues in the country.

It suffered from a cash crisis in 1985 and had to close for a time.

It had to abandon home-grown productions but has become a successful venue for touring companies and part-time cinema.

The building also includes the smaller, multi-purpose Ritz.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.