The Royal Hall was closed last year

Prince Charles has agreed to become patron of the Royal Hall Restoration Trust in a bid to see the crumbling theatre returned to its former splendour.

The 100-year-old theatre is set to receive a major cash boost from regional development agency Yorkshire Forward in addition to a pledge of almost �7m from the National Heritage Lottery Fund.

But trust chairwoman Lilian Mina said the backing of Prince Charles had given the project a tremendous boost.

"His patronage will be of enormous benefit to the trust in its fund raising efforts to help restore the Royal Hall," she said.

The trust aims to raise �1m towards the restoration costs and has already received a donation from the Prince of Wales Charitable Foundation, along with the Prince's good wishes for the building's future.

The hall is the last surviving example of its kind on the English mainland and has Grade II listed status.