A LEYLAND theatre is to undergo a spectacular extension after South Ribble Borough Council was awarded almost £200,000 lottery cash.

The £192,937 windfall - the largest regional award in recent handouts - will be spent providing an attractive conservatory-style front to the Marsden Theatre at Worden Arts and Crafts Centre, Worden Park.

Improvements to the theatre - a popular venue for a variety of musical and drama performances - will include:

Full refurbishment of the foyer.

More storage space and lounge and bar facilities added.

A toilet and dressing room - both with facilities suitable for the disabled.

Director of Leisure and Environmental Services at South Ribble council, Colin Monk, said: "It will be quite an attraction for Worden Park and is just the start of a major development there.

"We've been fighting for the money for the last 14 months. This is the icing on the cake.

"It's good all round. It will generate an increase in the craft centre's success as well as in terms of visitors to the park," he added.

The theatre has become the centrepiece of the Worden Centre but its success in past years has been limited by the lack of adequate facilities expected by a modern audience.

Plans have already been drawn up by council architects and the work will start early next year and be completed in late summer.

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