A NEW theatre which could be used by community groups is the jewel in the crown of a planned development at a top private school.

The theatre would be housed in a new, multi-purpose assembly hall at Westholme School, Blackburn.

The theatre, with its own professional lighting box and orchestra pit, is part of a £1.5 million development plan at Westholme.

The plan includes a new assembly hall and theatre attached to the existing dining hall, alterations to the dining hall roof and a staff extension.

Principal Mrs Lillian Croston said: "It's going to be brilliant for the school because it will give us so many more facilities. "We've got to the stage where we are struggling to seat 700 people in the existing hall.

"The new theatre could be used in the round or with a traditional stage and proscenium arch. It will have the potential to be used by local theatre groups and we will encourage that."

The school has enlisted the help of London theatre director Charles Stephens to help with the design and will be launching a fund-raising appeal if planning permission is granted by Blackburn Council.

However, the school already has a significant amount of money put aside for the development, due to start in July in time for opening in September 1997.

The planning application is expected to be dealt with by Blackburn Council in early February.

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