THEATRE lovers across the Fylde coast have shown just how close Blackpool Grand is to their hearts with an impressive start to the Glorious Grand Appeal.

£72,500 has already been collected for the £250,000 needed for the interior refurbishment programme which will transform the popular venue to its pristine 19th century condition with 21st century comforts and facilities.

And at the appeal's official launch on Friday (June 3) at Matcham Court, theatre general manager Stephanie Sirr told a VIP reception: "We are absolutely delighted with the response we have received from the initial 7,000 letters we sent out.

"It shows there is a lot of love for the Grand Theatre in our community and it's extremely encouraging that the money is coming from local people and not just big businesses.

"Now the conservation with cotton buds can begin to clean back the years of tobacco and grime."

A state-of-the-art steel cradle has been suspended from the ceiling and a team of conservators are painstakingly removing layers of dirt and brown paint left over from bingo hall days to reveal the true splendour of the theatre.

Conservator Brian Cardy said: "This is a unique method of working for us but the best one for the venue as we were very lucky to discover holes in the roof trusses from when the theatre was built that we can suspend the cradle from. "The restoration could take some time to complete and the cradle will stay up the whole time."

Important discoveries have already been made during routine tests to determine materials and methods required, such as a legacy of twelve flowers depicting the months of the year on twelve panels, and it is hoped more discoveries will be made as the true design is revealed.

Chairman of the Grand Theatre Trust Sam Lee added: "This is a good way towards the £1/4 million we need which is incidentally how much we bought the whole theatre for!

"And it's so important that we have the support of the local community because then we can also get the support of big organisations to keep this beautiful theatre the prettiest in the kingdom."

Patrons of the appeal include Prunella Scales and Timothy West who said: "To step on the stage of the Grand and look out at that matchless Matcham auditorium is an unforgettable experience.

"Wouldn't it be wonderful, though, if that auditorium could be restored to its original finery so that patrons too could really appreciate that here is a theatre which is without doubt one of the most beautiful in the world."

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Glorious Grand Appeal contact the Grand Theatre on 290111.

Pictured are workmen putting together the platform which is suspended through the ornate ceiling.