THEATRE-lovers are at last celebrating spending their hard won cash to lift the curtain on a new venue after more than 20 years fund-raising.

Builders and electricians will start work this week to transform the old Empire cinema into the new 200-seater Thwaites Theatre, formerly known as the Red Brick Theatre.

The venue, which has been used for rehearsals and private performances by amateur groups for the last 20 years, will be open to the public for the first time with a programme of professional and amateur shows. And fund-raiser Michael Berry, who took over the running of the campaign two years ago, said they would complete the purchase of the neighbouring Reed's building by the end of the month for £265,000.

He said: "We have been collecting all the money pledged during the last two years and now we are going to spend the first £100,000 on alterations.

"We should be able to open in March or April and now we are thinking about what our first show is going to be.

"After more than 20 years, we will have a wonderful new theatre in Blackburn."

Two of the theatre's sponsors, Haslingden electricians W H Good and Nelson-based Barnfield Construction, are carrying out the renovation on the Bolton Road theatre, Ewood. The former factory next door will be converted later into dressing rooms, rehearsal rooms, workshops and offices.

Michael now plans to apply for more than £1million lottery funding to build a second floor balcony in the theatre with another 100 seats.

The building was bought by the Blackburn Theatre Trust more than 20 years ago but the Trust never succeeded in raising enough cash to completely renovate it.

Since Michael relaunched the campaign two years ago, fund-raisers and sponsorship deals have raised more than £365,000.

The theatre was renamed the Thwaites Theatre after the Blackburn brewery offered to sponsor the renovation with a package amounting to more than £70,000.

Fund-raising events have featured celebrities including film legend Sir John Mills, Cannon and Ball, Jimmy Cricket, Coronation Street's Julie Hesmondhalgh and the original Tiller Girls.