actor's union Equity has strongly criticised a bid by a university to take over the running of a town's theatre.

The University of St Andrews has claimed in a formal proposal to Fife Council that its plans for the Byre Theatre would benefit students, staff, local amateur dramatic groups and the wider population of St Andrews and Fife.

It say its ideas are in line with the vision of the theatre's founder, Alexander Paterson.

But in a letter to The Herald, Lorne Boswell, the Scottish secretary of Equity, says: "This is no rescue, this is a takeover. And in this takeover there are serious questions to be asked about the use of Lottery funds.

"The Byre Theatre is a beautifully designed theatre. The current building opened in 2001 after a long and well-supported public campaign to raise funds for a new building for the town's producing theatre.

"As well as significant private sponsorship for this gem of a theatre, the National Lottery committed over £4 million to make the project happen.

"The proposal on the table seems to more about Fife Council managing a budget rather than what is best for the town of St Andrews.

"However, the transfer of a building funded by the Lottery to a use that would not have been eligible for Lottery funding needs to be challenged."

The University's plan for the theatre will be discussed by the council next Tuesday long with other proposals.

It closed in early 2013 after running into severe financial problems, a move that shocked many in Scotland's arts world.