TV gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh's theatrical past will be revealed at the official opening of the new-look Ilkley Playhouse.

The star of BBC's Ground Force - a former Ilkley resident - will be in town on Sunday when Mr Titchmarsh, a one-time Playhouse actor, will be guest of honour at the opening.

The Weston Road-based Playhouse has enjoyed a £750,000 facelift thanks to a Lottery grant from the Arts Council and a further grant for disabled facilities from the Federation for Sports and the Arts.

A Playhouse spokesman said: "Ilkley Players are confident that the new facilities will make the theatre a venue of real value to the local community.

"With more rooms available for hire and better facilities for social and community events, they hope the project will benefit the town, making it a real centre of local arts and activities."

For the first time the Players can welcome disabled patrons to all parts of the building, with three lifts, wheelchair spaces in the auditorium and disabled toilets both for the public and backstage. There is even a shower for the disabled.

The project has also included building a second auditorium, The Pinfold, for studio productions and community services.

The official opening will take place at 12.30pm.

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