FORMER head of arts Laurence Sach has vowed to fight on to secure the future of The Playhouse despite losing his job as part of management restructuring.

The controversial decision to merge Harlow Council's arts service with the regeneration unit, which could result in more redundancies, was taken in secret by members of the environment and community committee on Thursday.

Earlier at the meeting Mr Sach, who was head of arts for five years, told the committee he acknowledged that his job was "on the line" but believed the earlier report presented to members setting out money-saving measures was wrong.

He added that the implications for The Playhouse were "unalterable" and urged members "please don't put The Playhouse in that position."

Addressing a 300-strong crowd of supporters outside Harlow town hall after the meeting Mr Sach pledged to continue to fight for the theatre's survival.

He said: "When the phone rings tomorrow and they confirm I've been made redundant, I promise you I will not be moving from this town. I'm going to stay and fight for The Playhouse."

A Harlow Council statement on Friday said it had been necessary to undertake a series of interventions to support the Playhouse management in meeting the new operating budget.

"In a separate report, prompted by the budget situation, it has been proposed that the arts development work of the council's Harlow arts staff should be merged with that of the regeneration unit.

"This recognises their common purpose of attracting funding for the benefit of the town and creates a more cohesive operation that brings the arts into the mainstream of the regeneration agenda. The proposal was agreed at the environment and community committee.

"The staffing implications will be referred to the resources committee and there will be a period of staff consultation. It is therefore inappropriate to comment on how individuals may be affected at present."