A SCOUT and guide show at Hereford's Courtyard Theatre had to be cancelled because of safety fears.

The last night of the Gang Show performance was called off on Saturday night after high winds sweeping through the entrance foyer had caused two fixing points on a pillar to become detached. This caused a large pane of glass to move "around three or four inches".

The theatre's chief executive, Martyn Green, said staff were alerted to the problem during the matinee performance of the Gang Show.

They decided to keep people in the auditorium during the show because "it was the safest place to be".

The audience was then shown out of the theatre on the Edgar Street side while Herefordshire Council was called to assess the damage.

"Because of the high winds, we weren't able to open the main front doors meaning we made the decision to cancel the evening performance, as well as the showing of the film No Country For Old Men," said Mr Green.

"The car park was closed as a result and the pillar has since been strapped to support it.

"As a precautionary measure, we are likely to replace the glass in due course."

Mr Green said that at no point was the public in any danger.

The Courtyard was open for business as usual this morning (Monday).