AN amateur dramatics group in Burley-in-Wharfedale fears it might have to cancel all of its 2003 shows due to the £277,000 revamp of the Queen's Hall.

Burley Millennium Theatre Group usually holds three to four performances a year in the historic building.

But chairman, John Wise, announced at last week's Burley Neighbourhood Forum that he had been told 'not to plan anything for this year' because of the redevelopment project.

He said: "We very much support the alterations planned for the Queen's Hall but it is the uncertainty which is worrying us.

"We've got a four month period for each of our productions, including the December panto, and we always try to plan a couple of shows ahead."

Due to be converted into a modern community and youth centre, the Queen's Hall is currently used by a number of charitable, sports and drama groups.

The conversion plans have received strong local support and been welcomed by most people, including Burley Community Council chairman Bruce Speed.

He said: "The Queen's Hall is a vital part of the village, lots and lots of community groups and organisations use it, and I'm sure everyone will be very pleased when the project starts."

But guest speaker Mark Suggitt, the Bradford District's Head of Arts, Museums and Heritage, told the 100- strong audience at Burley Oaks School the work would take time.

He said: "What we need to do now is work with a design team within the authority, and with external people as appropriate, to develop the design so it can go out to tender.

"Then we have to make sure we get the right price, and the best contractor to do the work.

"There will be electrical work and work which, for health and safety reasons, will mean we will have to close down parts of the hall."

He added: "Work of this nature will take a year and as far as putting a show on, it will be difficult for you this year. It might be that you have to find a less suitable venue, or a venue like this just for the one year."

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Wise said he still had no clearer idea about how the theatre group could plan ahead.

He said: "We are very enthusiastic about the planned alterations and have been involved in the initial discussions about them, and some of the improvements will certainly benefit us.

"But our concerns are that there is still a great deal of uncertainty about when the work will start and how much disruption it will cause. "All we know is that we can't make any plans which means virtually our whole programme is in jeopardy."

Mr Wise added that there was nowhere else in the village which could provide a suitable venue, especially for the group's larger productions like the pantomime.