A Dodd's-on winner!

Top Comedian Ken Dodd has officially become the Number One Rogue in the campaign to open up the balcony at the Thwaites Theatre at Ewood, creating 120 extra seats.

In less than a year after its official opening, after a 30 year battle to restore the former Red Brick Theatre, the current capacity of 200 is proving too small for a number of shows.

Today, the theatre launched its Rogues' Gallery Appeal which aims to see the balcony brought back to life by January 2005.

Over £150,000 needs to be raised and work will begin in October.

Project director Michael Berry said: "Initially, we want to put 120 seats into the balcony to increase the theatre's capacity to allow us to attract some of the top acts to the area. Our current size means it's impractical to put on big names, but those extra seats would make such a difference.

"The idea is to find 120 companies or individuals who will pledge to raise £1,000 for a seat. Ken Dodd has already become our first rogue and he also agreed to bring his show to the theatre to celebrate the balcony work being complete."

More than £400,000 was raised, much of it by volunteers, to complete a 30-year dream and transform the dilapidated Red Brick Theatre into a prized community asset.

"We know that we can achieve the next stage with this new appeal," said Mr Berry. "We want people to be proud to say that they are a rogue and I'm hoping that everyone will get involved by pledging to raise £1,000 and then holding their own fund-raising events to do so."

As well as installing new seating, The campaign's aim is also to create an upstairs bar area for the theatre. "We were told on many occasions that we would never restore the theatre and we did that so I have no doubt that the people of East Lancashire will once again support us," said Mr Berry.

Anyone interested in the Rogues' Gallery Appeal can contact Mr Berry on 01254 57663 or 07931 639798.