A regeneration expert has stepped in to try to save Bradford's Priestley Centre from going into voluntary liquidation.

The Priestley Centre for the Arts Ltd ceases trading on Monday because of a financial crisis.

Tonight the final curtain was due to fall on the last major performance at the theatre.

The production of Quartet was due to be the last performed at the Little Germany theatre.

But David Scougal, a director of the British Urban Regeneration Assoc-iation, said today he was in talks with Glen Boldy, chairman of the Priestley Centre for the Arts Ltd, to try to find a way forward.

The deadline for action is Tuesday, February 4, when theatre members will attend an extraordinary general meeting to vote on the board's recommendation that the company should be put into voluntary liquidation.

But Mr Scougal said he believed the centre could be saved by approaches to organisations such as Government regeneration agency Yorkshire Forward.

"The Priestley Centre provides training and jobs," he said. "Theatres affect the whole community.

"There is a breakdown in communication between the relevant authorities. But the biggest problem of all is that they do not appear to have the support of the local authority.

"I am sure that by making the appropriate links they could overcome their problems, providing the Council makes their surroundings a safer and more attractive area.

"I will be helping them to make the links they need. I believe the theatre must not close."

The board is recommending the company should go into voluntary liquidation because it owes its creditors £50,000 - although its assets, including the theatre in Chapel Street, are worth significantly more than the debts.

The liquidator would sell the assets and any money left over would go to a similar charity.

Groups which use the centre will be able to continue until the meeting on February 4.