Thanks to the support of townsfolk and the surrounding area, funding for emergency roof repairs at Wigton’s John Peel Thea has been raised.

Volunteers are now hopeful now that the £1,200 raised for the repair work on the theatre can start next month.

But the next focus for Connie Jensen, chairwoman of the theatre and other members is a new Cumbrian comedy - Evolutions and other Planning Disasters.

The play is written by Cumbrian writers Kevan Francis and David H Ross who are members of the scriptwriters group that meet at Keswick’s Theatre By the Lake.

Mr Ross has cast his mind over years of planning applications and written a series of sketches, four which open on the night.

Connie said: “It has been a pleasure working with such a diverse group of actors, several of them new to the club, while others have been working with us for years.

“We have chuckled our way through rehearsals. We all love these plays and look forward to sharing the fun with our audience.”

The play is on from May 22 to May 24.