A theatre created out of a 19th century chapel has been given a multi-thousand pound grant to provide modern facilities for its patrons.

The Kirk Theatre, at Pickering, is to get £36,500 from Yorkshire Arts towards an improvement scheme.

The theatre, which was created in 1983 by the town's musical society, is to get new access facilities for disabled people and improvements to other amenities, said Rodney Preston, society secretary.

The total cost of £70,000 is being funded through the grant from Yorkshire Arts, together with funding of £11,000 from Ryedale District Council and help from Pickering Town Council.

Hopes are high of obtaining further grant aid totalling £12,000 in July, leaving the society about £10,000 to find.

The work, which is expected to start later this summer, will include reroofing the building, providing a new heating system, revamping the entrance and foyer and providing a toilet for the disabled.

"We have a number of disabled patrons, so these facilities will be a big asset," said Mr Preston.

"This is a very exciting scheme. Morale in the society is high, especially after our very successful spring show, Me and My Girl, which played to full houses."

The society has 130 members, but backstage crew and front-of-house volunteers were needed, said Mr Preston.

The society stages three major productions a year and is hired by other companies, including schools, and is used for touring shows.