A Cardiff arts centre faced with making one third of its staff redundant is seeking more time to find money-saving alternatives.

Seven posts at the new Centre for Visual Arts could be axed, but management are curently trying to avert the job losses.

A final decision is due be made next Monday.

Director Sally Medlyn said the consultation period had been extended when it was realised that indepth discussion with some of the people concerned could not take place until Friday.

"We are working to see if there is any possible way we can retain the posts," she said.

The CVA was launched in September last year after a successful multi-million pound refurbishment of the Old Library, in The Hayes.

A leaked consultation document revealed that cuts in the centre's expenditure would possibly have to be made and that one proposal would be to cut seven of the 21 staff.

Alternative proposals

Alternative proposals are understood to include closing the centre in between seasons.

Centre director Sally Medlyn last week confirmed that staff had been made "aware" of various proposals but no decisions had yet been made.

The Centre for Visual Arts employs five workshop leaders on short fixed term contracts, nine posts on a full-time equivalent basis and casual staff.

Events held at the centre since its opening have included the Australian Season exhibition, featuring works of art from a variety of artists and the Unconvention show of artwork that has inspired Welsh band The Manic Street Preachers.

The gallery was loaned works by Picasso, Edvard Munch, Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol for the exhibition.