Leaking theatre roof repairs to start in new year

Work to fix the leaking roof of a seaside theatre is set to begin in January following a fundraising campaign.

The Mowlem Theatre in Swanage, Dorset, started a six-week appeal in October to raise £10,000 to fix the flat roof.

Executive director Kate McGregor said it had exceeded its target, with money donated from people all over the UK.

"It's galvanised the community and shown us how important the Mowlem is to residents and visitors," she said.

The theatre said its programme of events was continuing as planned but the work was urgently needed on the 1960s building to prevent further damage.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent's Dorset Breakfast show, Ms McGregor said: "We had a leak in a corridor a couple of days ago which switched on the cinema lights during our showing of La Traviata.

"The lights just suddenly came on because of the water building up."

Ms McGregor, who joined the theatre six months ago, said the fundraising campaign reached 70% of its target "in the first couple of weeks".

"I had people calling me to donate from other parts of the country saying they've always come to Swanage or they came as children and remembered the Mowlem," she said.

"It's been really heartening."

The work, which is expected to be complete in February, is not expected to cause disruption outside of the building.