LEAD thieves have devastated a couple who dream of restoring a disused cinema.

Keith and Karen Barnes want to revamp the old Roxy cinema on Watling Street in Leadgate, near Consett.

They are spending lots of time and money to convert the premises into a non-profit making children's theatre for the local community with a capacity of 360.

Much of the money has come from sales at their sandwich shop, which is next to the Roxy and Mr Barnes, who is a builder by trade has done a lot of the necessary work in his spare time.

The 59-year-old has installed a stage, an upper circle and an orchestra pit But they were gutted after discovering that there had been a break in over the weekend of May 14-15.

As well as stripping the lead they broke a large number of tiles leaving around £1,000 of damage.

Mr Barnes said: "The theft has left me absolutely sickened.

"People assume we are insured but the insurance we have for an empty building is in case of fire or ironically, to prevent us being sued if one of these idiots had fallen through the roof and seriously injured himself.

"I have spent five years working on this project so far and it will be at least another five before it is complete."

Mrs Barnes comes from an amateur dramatic background, having worked as a costumer.

Their son David is an actor, the other, Ian works in the music industry while their daughter Sarah is also a keen performer.

Mr Barnes added: "We want to do something for local children.

"If we give them somewhere to perform it gives them an interest in life, a chance to fulfil their potential and keeps them off the streets.

"This theft has not deterred us. We are determined to make this theatre work but it has left a nasty taste in the mouth."

Police are now hunting the thieves who targeted the Roxy, which played its last film around 20 years ago.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Consett crime team on 0345-60-60-365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.