The future of one of Ryedale's premier entertainment venues could be secured with Government funding, it has been revealed.

The Milton Rooms management committee launched a bid for Lottery funding earlier this year but now it is looking at different sources of funding.

In spite of the announcement, some are calling for the council to give up the running of the Malton venue claiming it is making a financial loss.

But Coun Lindsay Burr, who is a member of the management committee said there was no danger of the venue being handed back to the original owners the Fitzwilliam Estate.

"We are working very hard to keep the Milton Rooms running and we have just decided we are going to pursue other sources of funding besides the National Lottery," she explained.

"The building does need a lot of work and there is a pressing need for it to be brought up to scratch; there is a lot of costly work involved."

The Milton Rooms, is used as an entertainment venue, is currently run on behalf of Ryedale District Council by the management committee.

The building is grade II listed so it might be possible to apply to English Heritage for extra funding, added Coun Burr. Ryedale District Council is having to hand over up to £90,000 this year to repair the roof and there could be added costs if it is to be refurbished properly.

Paul Hayward, head of economic and leisure services at Ryedale District Council, said funding may be available from the Malton and Norton Town Centre Initiative.

"There is £300,000 available over three years so I imagine there would not be enough money available to cover the cost of the refurbishment," he said.

"It is likely there will be less money than the Lottery can offer but there may be a small amount of money which can be used."

But Coun Linda Cowling, who is calling for the building to be handed back to the Fitzwilliam Estate, said she was concerned the cost of refurbishing the building could fall to the council.