The future of a former youth theatre hangs in the balance after it failed a health and safety inspection.

Barton Green Theatre, in Elm Road, New Malden, was closed by Kingston Council weeks after the final curtain fell on stage for the last show of former occupants the Green Theatre Company.

The theatre company had been forced to give up the lease on the historic building after a battle to raise the funds to maintain the converted cricket pavilion.

The site was named in memory of Cyril Barton, a bomber pilot from the area who was awarded the Victoria Cross in the Second World War.

A council spokesman said: “Officers are currently in the process of undertaking an options appraisal exercise to inform its future use.

“In the meantime, a decision has been taken to secure the building so as to prevent unauthorised access and, as such, it is not currently in use.”

The Coombe Vale ward surgery, which was held at the theatre, has now been relocated to the Dickerage Road Sports Ground.