A WEST Dorset theatre will be spruced up after securing funding towards its "makeover" project.

The Marine Theatre has been awarded £5,000 from the Theatres Trust - which will go towards repairing and restoring the front and side facades of the building which has been damaged by weathering.

The makeover project will include extending and redesigning the ground floor of the theatre, including an extended foyer, new toilets and improved accessibility.

The theatre hopes the work can be completed before the busy summer season, with plans already in place.

Clemmie Reynolds, director of the Marine Theatre, said: "It is really exciting.

"It means that hopefully we can start work over the next couple of weeks.

"After the roof works, we wanted to finish it off and give it some character, and this will help us do that. It has got quite dull and dirty and it is white, so it's quite noticeable. We are going to completely makeover the front and it will be sparkly white.

"For the interior, we are going for a circus big top theme and introduce some bold colours and jazz it up a bit."

In February, Lyme Regis Town Council agreed to pay the Marine Theatre £120,000 for running costs – along with a previously agreed £20,000 for roof repairs.

In December 2015, the theatre secured £39,000 of funding from the Government's Coastal Revival Fund to help replace the dilapidated roof - while money was also awarded to The Hub and the Town Mill Trust.

Tim Eyles, chairman of the Theatres Trust said: “Our eighth round of small grants supports several small theatres that have been seriously affected by poor weather conditions.

"I’m proud that our Theatres Protection Fund is helping to ensure that these theatres can continue to operate safely and serve their communities.”

The Theatres Trust has also awarded £5,000 to the Theatre Royal in Winchester, Tron Theatre in Glasgow and the Friargate Theatre in York - while Bridgwater Arts Centre has been handed £2,980.

The Marine Theatre is currently in talks to try and show films while the Regent Cinema is rebuilt after March's devastating fire.

Ms Reynolds added: "We are working with Scott Cinemas to get the appropriate licenses and equipment, and also to get recommendations on films.

"We are also asking the local community to offer their suggestions for films they'd like us to show. We won't be showing brand new releases, but will focus on classic and vintage films on week nights and kids films on Saturdays.

"The Marine Theatre was originally a cinema in 1930s so it would be fitting to show some old classics here."