A £10,000 cash boost has been awarded to buy hundreds of new chairs for Whitehaven Civic Hall.

The Rosehill Youth Theatre, which runs the popular venue, applied to Whitehaven Town Council for a grant to buy 400 new seats.

These seats will be used by the community using the Hall for shows, productions, events and meetings.

At a meeting last night (Thursday), town councillors approved the cash boost.

Julie Boag, treasurer for Rosehill Youth Theatre, said: "We are more than happy. We are really pleased because it's not just for us, it's for all the other users."

She said the current chairs, which are old and worn, are stored behind the stage when not in use and they can be difficult to move.

The new seats will be able to be stored elsewhere in the building.

During Thursday's meeting, Mrs Boag, her daughter Katie and Evie Rusman spoke about the theatre group, which now runs the Solway Hall.

Katie said: "The Rosehill Youth Theatre has helped me grow into the person I am today."

While Evie says she has grown in confidence and has developed leadership skills through being part of the group.

Chairman Raymond Gill praised the trio for their presentation.

And Coun John Kane said he supported the grant request, adding: "We have fought long and hard for the Civic opening again."

Town councillors also awarded a £1,500 cash boost to Whitehaven Amateur Operatic Society.

This money will be used to pay for props, set and swipe tracks to be used for an upcoming production of Legally Blonde (at Solway Hall).

The tracks can be attached to the ceiling and enable curtains and backdrops to be changed quickly.

Ann Simpson, chair of the society, said: "If we could have the money to buy swipe tracks, that would be a god send."

She said the swipe tracks would be "an investment" and the society aims to hire them out to other local groups.