YOUNG North Yorkshire dancers will be helping to raise money to help in the restoration of Harrogate's Royal Hall theatre.

Over the years, members of the Knaresborough and Harrogate Dance Studio have raised thousands of pounds for good causes by staging ballets in the 100-year-old building.

Harrogate's Royal Hall is now closed and is awaiting a multi-million pound restoration project.

But the youngsters hope to return to tread the Royal Hall's boards for future productions.

The hall was forced to shut because of decaying concrete, which has caused plaster to fall from its ceiling.

But the youngsters are determined to carry on carry on their fundraising tradition.

Last year, their ballet, held in Harrogate International Centre, raised £3,000 for the Royal Hall.

This year, they hope to at least raise that amount again.

Anneli Robinson, who runs the dance centre, which has 400 youngsters aged from three to 20 on its books, said 275 of them will be taking part in The Little Mermaid at the International Centre at two performances - 2.30pm and 7.30pm - on November 20.

She said she was keen to see the Royal Hall saved because it was such a wonderful building in which to perform.

Lilian Mina, the chairwoman of the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, who has praised previous productions, hailed the way the studio and its helpers had come together to produce the two-and-a-half hour show.

She thanked them publicly for donating the proceeds to the Royal Hall project.

The National Heritage Lottery Fund has agreed to give a grant of £6m towards the Royal Hall restoration project with Harrogate Borough Council giving £2m.

Booking details for The Little Mermaid are available by calling (01423) 537230.

Published: 25/09/2004