Members of Newcastle United Hebrew Congregation have overwhelmingly supported its leaders' plans to ensure the shul's future by downsizing.

More than 80 people - a third of the community - attended an information meeting on Monday where options for the long term were outlined by members of its planning committee.

Shul president Adrienne Ross said afterwards that the meeting had been "mostly very supportive. There were two or three questions and a couple of people weren't 100 per cent happy but you will always get that.

"The preference for a lot of us is to redevelop the existing building [with part sold off for commercial use]. It depends on planning permission and cost." A pre-planning application has been submitted to Newcastle City Council.

In a shul with just 16 members aged under 60, the goal is to guarantee its continuation for as long as people need it. Mrs Ross added that the shul leadership had received "incredible" backing for its vision from Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, who spent Shabbat with the congregation, attracting 150 people to the morning service. He also visited the local Philip Cussins care home.

The Chief Rabbi felt we were doing the best thing

"He felt we were doing the best to provide for the future and said the minyan was more important than the binyan [building]."

But in a sign of the times, the Newcastle Jewish Players have staged their final performance after 33 years, citing a dwindling membership and audience. They have raised more than £40,000 for charity.