AN INFLUENTIAL team of management, finance and theatre experts are to head a fund-raising appeal for the redevelopment of a theatre in a Kent city.

The aim is to raise £6million over the next three years towards the Marlowe Theatre project.

This will go towards the £23million cost of the ambitious project to transform the Canterbury venue into a much larger and state-of-the-art theatre complex. The fund has been given a flying start thanks to a £250,000 donation by Herne Bay-based company, Crown Products.

The team is being led by Lord Bruce-Lockhart, who will take the role of president. The former leader of Kent County Council is now chairman of English Heritage.

Chairman will be Sir Graeme Odgers, who is also chairman of the Kent Economic Board. Vice-chairman will be Peter Williams, the president of the Canterbury Festival.

Mr Williams said the theatre would become the "jewel in the crown" of Canterbury as the cultural centre of Kent.

* See the Kentish Gazette (Thursday, June 21) for the full story.