AT ITS launch it seemed the sky was the limit for Prudhoe's multi-million pound media centre.

But just over five years later and the dream is over, as Northumberland County Council takes on management of the Fuse Media Centre.

As of December 1 this year, the centre will be used primarily by the Northumberland Adult Learning Service.

The media centre, opened on September 14 2011, features the region's largest lit green screen facility as well as a fully fitted out recording studio, television studio and radio studio.

The centre is also home to the popular Fuse Community Cinema, with two-tiered seating and surround sound.

The Fuse Media Centre building is owned by Northumberland County Council and leased by a Community Interest Company (CIC) who run the centre.

At a meeting of Prudhoe Town Council in April this year, CIC board member David Brewis outlined plans to rent space in the building to businesses.

He explained that as well as creating a 'digital hub' of companies, the move may also bring in more revenue as the centre did not break even on a monthly basis.

And in July this year at a meeting with Northumberland County Council the CIC board was told their lease would end on December 1 this year.

Mr Brewis said: "We're a little bit shocked if truth be told at the speed at which Northumberland County Council has come to the decision.

"We were talking with them over quite some time about those plans to get commercial business involved.

"We regard it as a decision based on of cost cutting and reducing overheads elsewhere.

"I'm frustrated by their understanding of where the future jobs will come from, they will come from digital and creative and production

"This is a short term cost saving exercise where we should be looking at where the jobs are for the next generation."

The CIC is keen to keep the Fuse Community Cinema running but that it may have to be managed on a voluntary basis.

Northumberland County Council say the centre will still be available for use by the community and Prudhoe Community High School.

However its primary use will now be by the Northumberland Adult Learning Service, Employability Service and other services.

A county council spokesman said: "Due to changes in patterns of use it has been agreed that it is most appropriate for management to become fully the responsibility of the council from December.

"The council will be seeking to support community work to continue in the building, such as the cinema and community radio, and will be providing more information about this in due course."