FAMOUS names from stage and screen have pledged support for the campaign for a new performance and arts venue in Thornbury.

Playwright Willy Russell, actor/director Samuel West, modern day troubadour Chris Harris and "local girl" playwright Catherine Johnson are among a growing list of stars backing moves to furnish the town with a new theatre/music/exhibition venue fit for the 21st century.

Now after months of backstage work, members of campaign group Arts and Community in Thornbury (ACT) are ready to raise the curtain on a major effort aimed at raising the millions of pounds that will be needed to turn the dream into reality.

A launch dinner at Berkeley Castle on May 18 will be the first in a long list of fundraising events planned to take place in and around the town over the coming months.

"The dinner will be a very important opening function and Berkeley Castle will provide a suitably impressive backdrop," said ACT volunteer Jackie Jackson. "We shall have invited speakers and high quality entertainment. Indeed, the performers will be making a significant contribution to the evening."

The main speaker on the night will be George Ferguson, past president of the Royal Institute of British Architects who played a leading in role in the creation of the Tobacco Factory arts venue situated in Bedminster, Bristol.

Jackie Jackson said the ACT steering group had done important work over the last 12 months.

"The team has been beavering away establishing the organisation on a secure footing to prepare for the huge fundraising enterprise that will be necessary to build the new centre," she said. "We are now a limited company and are on the way to acquiring charitable status. We have visited theatres and arts centres in Brecon, Pershore, and Shepton Mallet to find out how they began and how they operate. It's given us inspiration as well as excellent advice."

The aim is to provide Thornbury and the surrounding areas with a 500-seat venue - as flexible as possible -to provide meeting and rehearsal rooms, exhibition space, cinema, bar and restaurant plus a venue for both amateur groups and professional artists.

It would make possible a whole range of entertainment for the town - musicals, plays, stand up comedy, choral concerts, dance from ballet to hip hop, singing from folk to opera and music from brass to modern bands.

Other fundraising events already in the pipeline include a fashion show involving local fashion and fashion-associated businesses in October and a variety entertainments involving local drama groups, For further information and to offer help call Philip Darley in 01454 416291.