Perth & Kinross Council has approved plans to restore and redevelop Perth's 115-year-old theatre.

The council's Development Management Committee formally approved the £16.6m plan on 12 August.

The project will redevelop the B-listed Edwardian auditorium, with a new 200-seat studio created. The venue will also have increased workshop spaces for creative learning and community projects.

Gwilym Gibbons, chief executive of Horsecross Arts, the organisation behind the project, said: "We are delighted at this major leap forward on the path to transform Perth Theatre. Now that the plans have been approved, the project will move forward in earnest."

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Horsecross Arts has pledged £15.1m for the redevelopment from project partners; the local authority, Creative Scotland, The Gannochy Trust, the Heritage Lottery Fund, trusts and foundations, individuals and other supporters or funding bodies.

The organisation is seeking to raise an additional £1.5m to ensure that the venue is fully equipped and furnished for a new century of theatre in Perth.

In addition, Horsecross is inviting the public to two further Open Sessions which will take place in the Concert Hall's Norie-Miller Studio on 21 September between 6pm and 7pm.

The sessions will give members of the public the opportunity to view and comment on the theatre plans following presentations by the Transform Perth Theatre project team.

(LM)