A DRAMA centre visited by thousands of young people has stepped up its fight for survival in the face of “lethal” cuts.

Redbridge Drama Centre (RDC) in Churchfields, South Woodford, may have to save £250,000 each year after 2012 - nearly all its current annual funding - after council funding was stopped.

The centre, which claims to help 14,000 young people a year, is looking to local businesses for financial backing to keep it afloat.

And it claims an event on Friday (October 14) for interested parties has increased confidence that the centre may find a lifeline.

Friends of RDC organiser Pankaj Pathak, of Violet Road, South Woodford, said: “It was a huge success.

We’re delighted because it went down well with people. We have now got businesses interested in funding us and we have a lot of options open.”

Around 80 people attended the event, held at the centre in Churchfields, to witness performances from children and circus acts.

Chingford and Woodford Green MP Iain Duncan Smith spoke at the event and praised the centre’s work.

He said: ““The centre is a fantastic resource for young people in the local community and I very much hope that local businesses and people will be encouraged to sponsor the centre. We need many more centres like this one.”

Mr Pathak, 42, outlined a future plan of action, which includes selling seats for life and show sponsorship.

However, calling on the council to reconsider the timing of its cuts, he said: “The cuts the council is proposing are lethal.

“As much as any school the RDC benefits the lives of children by giving them confidence - it crafts and hones and nourishes young people’s aspirations.”

Cllr Richard Hoskins, of Church End ward, said the timing of the cuts leaves RDC with little time to make up the shortfall.

A council spokeswoman said: "In 2011/12 the council contributed £263,486 to the drama centre. In order to help the drama centre to manage the impact of these savings the council has already begun working in partnership with the drama centre to identify new funding sources to try to ensure that it will continue to offer its valuable services to children, young people and the wider community for many years to come.

"These difficult funding decisions were taken at unprecedented times and were made to help protect the council’s front line services. By making these tough decisions in March 2011 the council was able to freeze council tax, increase spending on care for older residents and people with learning disabilities, and give the green light to capital investment to fund much-needed school places.

"A report went to the Children's Services and Leisure Scrutiny Committee in September and it was highlighted that a formal merger of the drama centre, music service and Kenneth More Theatre by way of a consortium would not make any additional savings.

"However all three will continue to work together informally in order to achieve greater efficiencies in terms of how they deliver their services."

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