BURNLEY Youth Theatre was today celebrating a £20,000 National Lottery cash award which could be the springboard to a £1 million plus new theatre for the town.

The Arts Council backing, announced today, will allow the renowned 300-member group to launch a feasibility study into how best to expand facilities to meet growing demand.

In the last year, the theatre which has enjoyed both regional and national success has received more than 1,500 enquiries from people hoping to join the Quarry Theatre group.

If the pilot study finds the best way forward is for a purpose-built 200-seater theatre on the existing site, a £1 million application for more Lottery money will be made early next year.

Success here would still leave the theatre with around £250,000 to find to fund the project.

Artistic director, Anthony Preston, said the theatre would be working vigorously to raise its own cash..

Burnley council, which may have Challenge Fund cash for the theatre project, development, has already said it fully supports the expansion of the theatre.

Today's grant is the first of its kind to a Youth Theatre from lottery funds.

Said Mr Preston: "We are absolutely thrilled. It is a clear indication that the Arts Council supports the concept and feels the project is a good idea."

If funding can be put together, work on the expansion scheme, whatever its final form, will go ahead late next year.

Announcing the grant, the Arts Council said the youth theatre had a long history of excellence, producing work of outstanding quality.

They noted the theatre was showcased at the Royal Exchange as part of the national BT Connections Initiative; regularly took part in the National Youth Arts Festival and won a commendation at this year's National Student Drama Festival.

The Youth Theatre has already launched its fund-raising campaign and says it will make £30,000 by Christmas.

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