London's Leicester Square

Ministers have faced calls to provide more money for London's theatres.

A report from the Theatres Trust released on Tuesday revealed that the huge tourist attractions require an urgent £255 million facelift, which their owners cannot afford to provide.

London's "Theatreland" generates £400 million in tax revenues each year but because more than three quarters of the 40 West End halls are listed buildings, modernising them is costly.

Research concluded that at least £17 million a year will have to be spent for the next 15 years to bring the buildings up to scratch.

The authors argued that "government or other outside agencies" should provide at least matching finance.

The report also found that 48 per cent of the theatres had "totally inadequate" provision for audience members in wheelchairs, despite Labour legislation requiring all public buildings to be fully accessible.

Theatres Trust director Peter Longman said the businesses deserved government support.

"Theatres all over the rest of the country, and the subsidised ones in London, have been receiving help for modernisation programmes over many years," he said.

"Our researchers have demonstrated that it is no longer realistic to expect commercial West End owners to put things right without outside assistance.

"We will now be seeking to discuss these issues with other interested parties and with the government."