A GRANT of £100,000 from Sita Cornwall Trust has brought Sterts Theatre at Upton Cross much closer to reaching its goal of raising the funding for a new canopy.

When the open air theatre, founded by Ewart and Anne Sturrock, opened in 1990 with a performance of Othello, the audience of 300 were huddled under umbrellas. Sterts carried on with its seating open to the elements for a further four seasons, but in 1994 a new waterproof canopy was erected to protect both performers and audiences.

Now, 20 years later, the huge canopy is weather-worn and prone to leaks, so last year fundraising began in ernest to raise the necessary funding for its replacement.

Sterts administrator Robin Lawrence said the grant from Sita was a huge help towards the estimated £150,000 cost of the new canopy.

'So far, from various events, we have raised £11,000 ourselves,' he said. 'The fundraising continues and we are hoping to raise the balance from other sources which we are exploring. We are hoping a new canopy will be erected in time for the start of the new summer season.'