One of Belfast's best known theatres is to benefit from a financial fillip.

The Lyric has won a £250,000 boost to its building fund to go towards better facilities for young people within the new south Belfast theatre.

The cash, from the foundation for Sport and the Arts, is likely to be a welcome addition to money the Lyric has already raised to pay for knocking down and rebuilding its renowned theatre on the banks of the River Lagan.

-- Advertisement --

A cheque for the money was recently handed over by the film maker Lord Attenborough.

The new theatre will cost £17m and about 70% of that has been committed by public funders.

The rest is being raised by the theatre - including last June a £1m contribution from a local businessman.

However, there is still a shortfall of £2m, but the theatre hopes to raise most of that before it closes for the rebuilding to get underway, early in the New Year.

(BMcC)