WINCHESTER theatre Royal bosses have won extra cash support to help in meeting a shortfall with their fundraising.

The city council has agreed to give the theatre a further £25,000 grant to help cover the cost of technical equipment.

The chairman of the theatre fund, Russell Fairchild, said he was pleased the council had approved the funding.

But he stressed that another £200,000 still needed to be raised to complete the final phase of the £4.1 million project.

"We will be doing further mailings of householders in the district and we will be approaching major businesses to help us finish the job," he said.

"Progress on the refurbishment of the theatre has been terrific. One of the main priorities is to complete the installation of a new electricity sub-station, which has been placed in the library car park next to the theatre."

The theatre, which closed down five years ago, is scheduled to reopen for the first time in April.

But the renovated theatre will initially be used for community-based events only.

Professional performances are not expected to be staged until the autumn.