One last push in the run up to Christmas could be enough to secure the future of one of the north of England's theatrical gems.

The Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond is unique in that it is the best-preserved working example of a playhouse from the late 1700s in the world.

However, with so little done to maintain the fabric of the building over the last 300 years, even the management accept it resembles a barn - and an appeal was launched earlier this year to raise £1.1m towards a comprehensive facelift which will both preserve the theatre as a living, working museum while bringing it into the 21st century.

Just under £600,000 has been promised by the National Lottery's Heritage Fund, with other grants and donations taking the total raised to date to £900,000. But there is still another £200,000 left to raise by the end of the year, if the refurbishment is to go ahead on schedule.

Fundraisers are pinning their hopes on additional cash from Europe and the generosity of local people - and among those are Stuart and Carol Christie, who have good reason to have a soft spot for the theatre.

They were the first to be married there after the building was granted a licence for civil ceremonies in April 1999.

"We have an interest in theatre in common," said Stuart, who runs his own plumbing business. "It was a brilliant day."

But Carol, who runs a joinery business, remembers how nervous she was underneath the lights as the couple made their vows.

"It made me realise I'd prefer to be in the audience rather than on the stage," she said.

Despite the arrival of son, Joseph, and the demands of running two business, the couple have tried to remain regulars at productions staged at the theatre since their wedding and are members of the theatre's "friends" organisation.

Both are adamant the community should do all it can to ensure the building has a future.

A Friday Folk Night at the theatre at 7.30pm Friday evening and a Christmas Concert with the Carol Andrews Singers on Saturday, December 15, are the next fund-raising events on the calendar.

The latter includes a Grand Prize Draw, with a Vauxhall Corsa car, donated by Sherwoods of Darlington, as the top prize. Tickets are available from the theatre.

Other prizes are:

A limited edition print by Richmond artist, MacKenzie Thorpe.

A weekend for two at The Rutland Arms Hotel in Bakewell, Derbyshire, donated by sister establisment, The King's Head Hotel in Richmond.

An Aiwa video recorder, donated by the Co-op's Friary superstore in Richmond.

A meal for two at The Frenchgate Hotel, Richmond.

A £30 voucher to spend at The Frenchgate Caf, Richmond.

A flower arrangement by Georgian Florists at Catterick Garrison.

A book on the History of Richmond, donated by author David Morris.

A miniature rugby ball, signed by Liam Botham, and a skateboard, both donated by Gilsan Sports, Richmond.

Two £15 vouchers for trees, donated by J Cartman.

Two black and white photographs, one landscape and the other of a flower A handmade, leather rucksack, donated by Barbara Duncan.

A £100 clothing voucher, donated by Hodge and Co of Catterick Garrison.