AFTER more than 26 years gathering dust and plummeting into disrepair, a famous Morecambe theatre has been thrown a lifeline.

Following months of contemplation, the Friends of the Winter Gardens have decided to buy the historic building.

The Friends fought a triumphant campaign to save it from demolition and pushed for backing for it to be re-opened as a multi-purpose entertainment and arts centre, including a Dame Thora Hird stage school.

Now, chairman Evelyn Archer says: "After what we had done the owners, Barnfield Construction, wanted us to take the place on. They asked us in November and it has taken us this long to decide what to do.

"I'm happy and excited but a bit nervous because it is going to be a big undertaking because of the amount of work that needs to be done - it is not a decision we have taken lightly."

She adds: "We are preparing a business plan to submit and should hopefully get grants from a variety of places"

She says it will be wonderful to get the place up and running again and she wants local people to get involved.

The Friends are yet to sign on the doted line for the grade two listed building but say the deal, whose cost has yet to be confirmed, should take place in the next month.