WEST Somerset's only theatre - the Regal in Minehead - is celebrating a successful year.

The annual meeting of MATA, the group that runs it, was told that in the last two years £100,000 had been spent on maintaining and improving the building.

Much of the work had been paid for by the generosity of local people, organisations and public bodies, including the Wyvern Environmental Trust, the Devon and West Somerset Key Fund, the Elmhurst Trust, Rotary Club of Great Britain, the Lions and Minehead Town Council.

Developments include the creation of a new balcony, while work to improve the bar is continuing with redecoration due to begin shortly. And investigations are under way to build a lift to allow full wheelchair access.

In the past year, audiences and income have improved. And a full programme of varied performances has been staged, despite the disruption of the refurbishment.

Mrs Ross said the Regal was looking forward to another year of hard effort, further improvements and plenty of lively and dramatic performances.

And theatre chiefs would like to hear from anyone keen to help keep it alive, particularly those with technical skills in sound and lighting.