A DISUSED Easterhouse mansion could be the new home of Scotland's National Theatre.

The move came after bosses insisted the £10million Bridge building in the East End of Glasgow is too small to be their new home.

Four years down the line the National Theatre of Scotland has finally admitted it won't be moving into The Bridge because it's inadequate for its needs.

Now the 18th century Blairtummock House is being considered as an alternative - as is moving to the city centre, despite repeated pledges by the Scottish Executive it will be based in Easterhouse.

A new report produced on behalf of the Scottish Arts Council which cites four possible solutions - two of which involve the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Sauchiehall Street.

Another option is to stay in Easterhouse, spreading the NTS across two sites, The Bridge and a revamped Blairtummock House.

The 1721 building is among only three listed buildings in Easterhouse and is only 150m from The Bridge. It's thought Blairtummock could provide 13 offices and conference rooms at a cost of around £3m.

Today a new report documented the space problems associated with The Bridge and recommended alternative options.

Culture Minister Margaret Curran insisted the search for a new home would continue to focus on Easterhouse.

The Minister said today: "The National Theatre of Scotland remains committed to its home base at the Bridge in Easterhouse.

"The Bridge does not however provide sufficient office accommodation. Easterhouse continues to be the priority for the accommodation search."

Option one is for the NTS to be split between the Bridge and a new city centre office, which would replace the temporary one currently occupied by its core staff.

Option two is a site merger between the Bridge and a revamped CCA, while option three involves the CCA alone.

A statement from the NTS said: "We welcome the Minister's positive response and will begin a search, starting in Easterhouse."