THE dream has become a reality with the announcement that Blackburn's long-awaited theatre will open in October.

And there was a further boost for arts lovers in East Lancashire when Capita announced it is to sponsor the performing arts centre attached to the former Red Brick Theatre.

The Thwaites Theatre at Ewood will be officially opened at a star-studded gala evening on Saturday, October 19 with Ken Dodd having been approached to be the first performer to appear on stage.

A delighted Michael Berry, the project director who with his team has raised £400,000 to transform the former cinema building into a prestigious arts centre, said: "When we first started this project three-and-a-half years ago there were people who laughed at what we were trying to achieve. But I knew from the first moment we would succeed -- and we have."

Capita, which in July 2001 took over the running of many Blackburn with Darwen Council Services, completed a sponsorship deal yesterday.

Terry Boynes, business director of the Capita Business Centre, said: "Being involved in the theatre and sponsoring the performing arts centre is part of Capita's involvement in the community in Blackburn with Darwen. We felt that it was totally appropriate for us as an organisation to become part of the town in a real and useful way."

The Capita Performing Arts Centre offers a dance studio, rehearsal space and meeting rooms for local groups and societies and has been created in the premises of the former Reeds factory building.

The Thwaites Theatre complex benefited from a £100,000 urban regeneration grant but the bulk of the money has been raised by a team of fund-raisers.

Many of them will be among the audience on opening night when two special shows will be held.

"The main guests on the evening will be those people who believed in us at the beginning of our campaign," said Mr Berry.to bring a theatre to Blackburn," said Mr Berry.

"There was no guarantee that we would succeed but we have."