IT'S not pretty in pink, says Bournemouth Council.

The vivid paintwork of one of the town's most historic venues will be muted after negotiations with the owners.

The former Theatre Royal in Albert Road got the unauthorised paint job when it was due to be re-opened as the Superstar Boudoir' night-club.

But council officers took a dim view of the bright colours - and the grade 2 listed building will now be repainted white and an off-white colour called skimming stone'.

A Bournemouth Council spokesman said: "There has been no formal enforcement notice. We had informal discussions with the owner and he agreed to repaint it a more neutral colour."

The council received one complaint about the paintwork.

The building dated back to 1882 and has recently hosted several night-clubs, including Adonis and Twister.

Father Tony Pennicott, of the Sacred Heart Church situated opposite, had described the shocking pink as "ghastly" when it was applied.

He said yesterday: "I'm very pleased. A lot of parishioners had commented on it. It was done for publicity. We all knew it would be repainted eventually.

"Now it will be more in keeping with the quality of the buildings on the street."