Ilkley'S Kings Hall has been given a huge boost by a mystery benefactor.

Sound equipment worth more than £30,000 has been donated to the concert venue by the anonymous donor. The man is believed to be a former resident of Ilkley who now owns a sound equipment business in London.

His extraordinary gift will fully equip the hall with a new sound system as part of the total refurbishment of the venue.

Ilkley Concert Club, which is based at Kings Hall, had more good news to offer with the announcement that thanks to money raised by the Friends of Kings Hall, new display cases are now in place outside the building.

A total of £3,000 came from a jazz concert given by Cleo Laine and John Dankworth last season and this, too, will go into the refurbishment fund.

In total the venue has benefited from improvements costing £200,000.

The chairman of the Friends of the Kings Hall and Winter Garden, Jim Horsley, said: "I am delighted at the venue's success in promoting live entertainment for all the family.

"We are finding success breeds success with more and more people wanting to use the Kings Hall or attend the events." The extensive renovation programme has also been supported by Bradford Council. Councillor Anne Hawkesworth said: "The new lease of life given to the Kings Hall and Winter Garden has certainly proved popular with both performers and local people."

The chairman of Ilkley Concert Club, David Pyett, is looking forward to an impressive line-up of performers for the coming season. Violinist Marat Bisengliev is just one of the names due to appear at the Kings Hall and Winter Garden complex.

Mr Pyett said: "I am very pleased with this year's line-up. It's rather nice to have Marat back. He's well known in Ilkley and it's rather nice to ask him back after he has been travelling the world." The lesser known but eagerly anticipated Razumovsky Ensemble are also set to appear.

Mr Pyett said: "People may not have heard so much about them but they have had two or three quite remarkable concert reviews."

The Belcea String Quartet are reappearing at the Kings Hall this season. Mr Pyett described the Quartet as 'quite astonishing'.

Ilkley Concert Club is now looking ahead to its Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2005/2006. The club has revised plans to have a work commissioned for the concert season and instead is asking members for their ideas to help celebrate the 60th anniversary of the club.

It is hoped that members will suggest favoured pieces or artists that the committee can work into a concert during the Diamond season. Slips will be sent out with tickets for this season on which members can write their suggestions.

Officers for 2003-2004 are: Chairman, Mr D Pyett; vice-chairman, Mr R Walker; treasurer, Mr E Varley; secretary, Mrs R farthing. Committee: Mr J Farthing, Mr G Kinder, Mr a Hudson, Mrs P Robinson, Mrs J Rundle, Mrs J Sutcliffe and Mr A Walbank.