A last-minute rescue plan has saved Bradford's Priestley Centre from closure.

Members of Bradford's historic theatre sensationally voted against the board's proposal to go into liquidation at an emotion-charged meeting last night. They voted 34 against with 11 in favour, forcing the immediate resignation of the entire board.

They backed a rescue plan from businessman Tom Sandford, a venues manager who has been a board member of the Priestley Centre in the past.

He revealed he had secured a £40,000 bank loan. A further £18,000 has also been received in private donations since the curtain came down at the end of January.

Mr Sandford, elected chairman of the new board, said: "There will be no time for partying. There is work to be done.

"Last evening the members decided enough was enough and, come what may, wanted to keep the Priestley alive.

"There will be hard work to come but the atmosphere among the members after the meeting was most optimistic.

"I would like to take the opportunity to thank the board for the hard work over the past few months and to the members for showing faith in me and my team and all those who have offered support for our plan."

Last night's extraordinary general meeting was called to sort out the future of the centre.

Another member who attended, but did not want to be named, said: "It was wonderful. We don't know how long we can carry on for, but it's just great.

"We went there last night thinking that is it, it is the end, but it wasn't. The theatre is part of Bradford."

The new board will now set a date in the future to book new shows.

Priestley Centre for the Arts Ltd, a registered charity, has struggled for 14 months to find an estimated £60,000 it owes to creditors and further funding to secure its long-term future.