Lord Archer will be given day release from jail to work behind the scenes at a theatre.

Theatre owner Chris Marino has confirmed the disgraced MP will be working on theatrical projects in Lincoln.

A newspaper report had claimed Lord Archer would be working as a backroom boy at the city's Theatre Royal.

But Mr Marino said the former MP for Louth would be working at "Theatre House", a theatrical organisation on Clasketgate in Lincoln.

Business links

He said the prisoner will be working on community and charity projects within a theatrical environment.

A spokesman for the Prison Service said they do not comment on individual cases but they have a policy of developing links between prisoners and local businesses

The multi-millionaire author will be paid �60-a-week for the work and is expected to start on Monday, according to The Sun newspaper.

The former Conservative party deputy chairman has served 12 months of a four-year prison sentence for perjury.

Appeal failed

Lord Archer will be let out of North Sea Camp open prison near Boston, Lincolnshire, to carry out his theatre duties.

The author will travel the 38 miles from the prison to work an eight-hour shift at the theatre before returning to jail at night.

Lord Archer was sentenced last July after being found guilty of perjury and perverting the course of justice at a libel trial against the Daily Star over allegations about his private life.

Last month he was refused permission to challenge his conviction and sentence.