A MAJOR expansion of Blackburn's newest theatre will be officially unveiled at a special gala night on Saturday.

And among the packed house at the Thwaites Empire Theatre, at Ewood, will be distinguished actor Anthony Valentine, who will be returning to his home town in his new role as the theatre's patron.

For the actor, probably best known for his role in the Seventies TV series Colditz, spent the first six years of his life in the town.

"I can actually remember going to the Empire Cinema, as it was then, with my mum during the war," he said.

"So, to be asked to become patron of it now is a great honour."

The once-derelict building has been transformed over the past few years into a state-of-the-art community theatre. More than £750,000 has been raised by volunteers to create a 320-seat theatre, and attached performing arts centre. This Saturday's gala night will see the new balcony being used for the first time, the second phase in the theatre's redevelopment.

Project director Michael Berry said: "That will be the time when I can safely stand on stage and say 'we've done it'. It may have taken 27 years, but we have now got a theatre to be proud of."

Plans to convert the former cinema were long in the pipeline, but the bulk of the fundraising has been achieved in the last eight years. "When you think that we have raised £2,000 a week, every week for the past eight years, you get a measure of how supportive everyone has been," said Mr Berry.

Anthony Valentine takes over as patron of the theatre from Sir John Mills, who died earlier this year.

He said: "For anyone to keep a theatre going in this day and age is a great achievement, but to rebuild one and bring it back to life is fantastic. If you can get people in to see a show they will realise how exciting theatre is, compared to sitting at home watching TV.

"It's funny but, although I Ieft Blackburn when I was six, I still think of the town as home. We used to live in Mosley Street and I went to school near the Infirmary. As patron, I will do everything I can to help promote the theatre."

At the gala night, 'The Comedians' star Ken Goodwin will top the bill of a variety show.

Mr Berry added: "Our next challenge is to make the outside of the building sparkle, like the inside."

l A limited number of tickets for the gala night are available from the box office on 01254 680137.