EXCITING plans for a £1.62m youth theatre were unveiled at Burnley Mechanics.

Burnley Youth Theatre is celebrating its silver jubilee next year and hopes to mark it by beginning building work on the youth arts centre.

Last year the theatre was unsuccessful in its lottery bid for money from the Arts Council. But the plan has been reworked and artist's impressions of the building were put on show to a guest audience at the Mechanics.

Changes include: More ground floor space; a larger rehearsal room; better disabled access and a coach parking space in the new car park.

The new application will be resubmitted in the New Year and in the meantime the fund-raising continues.

A sponsor-a-seat initiative is being launched for individuals to choose a seat in the new theatre and 'buy it' for £50. Companies and organisations can 'buy' seats for £100.

Burnley Youth Theatre has already been successful in securing money to fund three new appointments, Jacky Riddell as project manager, Sally Smith as development officer and Michael Bailey as clerical support.

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