MUSIC from the big band era has been recorded on a compact disc to raise money for a popular but crumbling theatre.

Each of the 11 bands featured on the CD have appeared at the grade II*-listed Royal Hall, in Harrogate, where work on an £8m restoration scheme is about to start.

Over the past 100 years, many performers have appeared at the theatre, and shows have ranged from major orchestral concerts to The Beatles.

Now the famous big bands which appeared at the Royal Hall in the 1930s and 1940s, can be heard again on the 22-track CD just released.

Among the bands are Jack Hylton and his Orchestra, Billy Cotton and his Band, Joe Loss and his Orchestra and Jack Payne and his Orchestra.

The idea came from Mike Hine, a member of the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, which is trying to raise £1.5m over and above restoration costs to provide extra fittings and furnishings inside the hall.

Mr Hine, now retired from a tourism and entertainment role at Harrogate International Centre which runs the Royal Hall, got the idea of bringing the famous bands together while researching artists who have graced the boards at the theatre in its 100-year history.

"What struck me in going through the names was the raft of dance bands which had played there during the Thirties and Forties," he said.

During his research he was given an old tape which included original records of the bands and then he set about getting permission to re-master, reproduce and secure royalty licences to manufacture a limited edition of 500 CDs.

The CD, which costs £10, is available from Harrogate Tourist Information Centre, Crescent Road and through Pomp and Circumstance music shop, in Commercial Street, Harrogate.