The planned merger between Bradford University and College could put the future of a celebrated theatre at risk.

Touring productions at the Theatre in the Mill have already been scrapped until a decision on the future of the theatre is made.

The theatre, on the university's campus, has just completed a "lighter spring season" of public shows, and will only be hosting student productions for the future.

A private meeting will be held on Friday, May 9, between university and college bosses, as well as the local arts community to discuss funding and the way forward for the future.

The theatre is owned by the university - which pays for the day-to-day running of the building - and it works closely with the Performing Arts faculty at the college.

Independent touring shows are supported by the Arts Council for Yorkshire, which recently doubled its annual funding to the theatre to £10,000.

Andrew Loretto, the current Fellow in Theatre at the Mill, said the three-year grant from the Council - part of the Arts Council of England - was proof that the theatre was gaining stature independently.

"The award is really crucial - it's the first time the theatre has received any funding over a three-year period," he said.

It also received £24,000 of Lottery funding last year to host its third New Writing Festival, which showcased new talent in Yorkshire along with work from acclaimed writers.

But with a capacity of just over 100, it's the university budget that makes up most of its income, and there are fears cuts could be made - proving a major blow to the theatre's aspirations.

The Telegraph & Argus revealed earlier this month that the university and college must put forward a business proposal for the Learning and Skills Council for West Yorkshire (LSC) to consider before the merger can go ahead.

To make the proposal feasible the university will look to make cuts where possible, and the non-profit-making theatre could be one of them.

This would dent hopes of the Mill bringing more award-winning productions to Bradford, as it did last year with Swollen Tongues and The Man Who Cracked.

Andrew, who will be leaving the theatre at the end of the month to work for the National Student Drama festival, said the merger plans would be brought up at the meeting: "I would envisage there being talks of closer links with Bradford College."

But he was defiant against the talk of a cut in funds: "I think we run a very cost-effective operation here, when you consider the job we do."

A spokesman for the university admitted that the budget would be looked at when they meet next month, but stressed: "We are certainly committed to a continuing theatre provision for the coming twelve months."