SUPPORTERS of the campaign to save the Burnley Empire Theatre have been urged to put their hands in their pockets in a last push to raise cash for essential works.

There are just five days left to raise the cash needed to reach the £10,000 target for repairs to help stabilise the 125-year-old Grade II-listed building on Cow Lane.

The Burnley Empire Trust has appealed to supporters to go to its crowdfunding page to donate. The money raised will be match funded up to £15,000 by The Architectural Heritage Fund.

So far 129 people have given £6,292. The appeal closes at noon on Wednesday.

The cash will be used to stabilise parts of the roof, install a safety net inside the auditorium, remove the asbestos from the ground floor of the auditorium to enable essential works to begin.

A trust spokesman said: “By supporting the Burnley Empire Crowdfunder appeal you will be directly helping to save the historic venue and helping towards repurposing the Burnley Empire.”