The future of television studio and enterprise hub Epic remains unclear after owner Norfolk County Council said it was 'exploring every option' - including its sale.

Launched two years ago, the former Anglia studios offers some of the most advanced broadcast production facilities in Europe and space for about a dozen small companies in the burgeoning creative industries.

But faced with large-scale funding cuts, owner and operator Norfolk County Council (NCC) is reviewing its plans for the studios.

While it is uncertain what decision it will take, possible options including selling it or bringing in an outside operator to take over the day-to-day running.

Earlier in the year a restructuring within NCC saw the departure of Epic director Mark Wells, who was replaced by Simon Coward, who also heads advanced manufacturing hub Hethel Engineering Centre.

The authority acquired the site on Magdalen Street, Norwich, from ITV in 2007 with a �1.2m grant from EEDA, which provided a further �838,000 for refurbishment.

Ann Steward, cabinet member for sustainable development at NCC said: 'People will know that we are proposing to radically change the way we deliver our services in the face of huge reductions in the amount of funding we receive from central government over the next four years.

'In doing this, we need to consider every part of the council's current responsibilities, including Epic.

'We are exploring all options for the future of Epic, one of the most advanced digital production centres in Europe, to continue its successful work in supporting our creative industry, which is such a key business sector in Norfolk.'

Following his appointment as director of the studio, Simon Coward said in June that he would be looking at 'smarter' ways of working at Epic to ensure it remained financially viable in the face of likely funding cuts.

Since its formation, Epic has helped establish 15 business and created more than 60 jobs in the creative sector, a growth industry which employs more than 14,000 in Norfolk.