AN arts centre in the region has started an appeal after its lighting rig was condemned.

The Customs House, in South Shields, South Tyneside, needs to find £100,000 to replace the system. The theatre will have to close for three weeks in the summer.

Last year, the venue staged 360 live shows in 363 days.

Bosses at the charity said that no shows, other than the annual international Guitar Festival, were being cancelled.

All events due to be staged during the three week closure have either been postponed to later in the year or are being moved to a nearby venue.

The cinema, gallery and Green Room Cafe Bar will remain open.

Problems with the rig were discovered during a recent refurbishment of the stage, the first phase of a planned £4m redevelopment of the building. It comes as a blow to the charity as it has no cash reserves.