A GROUP dedicated to a York theatre is doing their bit to raise thousands of pounds for an ambitious revamp.

Friends of York Theatre Royal has organised a weekly craft morning and has already hosted a bric-a-brac sale to help raise the £500,000 needed by the theatre to complete a major upgrade.

The group's aim is to raise £5,000 towards the redevelopment as part of the venue's Treading the Boards to help build a new flexible main stage, re-develop the foyer and improve seating.

Sue Palmer, a group member, said: "I take part in Friends to help to keep the tradition of the theatre in York and to meet lovely people.

"I was brought up with the People’s Theatre and my aunt brought me every week since I was a little girl."

Another member, Ann Hancock, added: "I have been coming to the Theatre for over 55 years and it means a lot to me.

"The Theatre provides entertainment for the whole community and we’re proud to be helping to make York Theatre Royal a theatre for the future."

The changes, already partly funded by a £3.6m donation from groups including Arts Council England and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, will also see the Georgian staircase opened up, space provided for a cafe and bar, better toilet facilities and re-tiered seating in the auditorium to improve the view of the stage.

Those in charge of fundraising at the theatre are giving people the chance to leave their own legacy inside by donating money in return for naming a seat, sponsoring one of the iconic archways, putting money towards the new stage or funding the Prompt Desk in the main house.

Anyone donating money for the various projects will have their name inscribed on a donors' wall when the theatre re-opens.

The Press is an official media partner for the appeal.

To donate visit justgiving.com/yorktheatreroyal/donate