AFTER several years of fundraising, villagers and visitors of Lamerton will now benefit from a state of the art stage and professional lighting, being constructed in the village hall this week.

After cash boosts from the Co-operative Community Fund and West Devon Borough Council, as well as years of fundraising from the Lamerton Hall Committee, installation of the new stage, lighting and curtains is now underway.

The new stage, built by stage company ASG and was planned to be installed at the time the new hall was built but was not due to lack of funds.?It is a moveable stage built in one to two metre sections.

The new heavy duty curtains can surround most of the stage, concealing it when not in use, and at the back of the stage is a black backdrop which conceals the doors and steps used by the actors.

Also being installed are professional stage lighting units which are controlled by remote control.

Treasurer of the Lamerton Hall Committee Gerald Cramp said: 'It is very modern, state of the art stuff. When it is not being used it can be stored away in a trolley that doesn't take up much space at all.

'In terms of extra usage of the hall, we will hopefully get maybe two or three different events now every month.

'Hopefully, it will help people in this area who don't want to go to Plymouth or Tavistock to go to the theatre, or will provide an opportunity for people to put on a show themselves.'

The construction and installation of the new stage is aimed to be finished tomorrow (Friday), and will be used for the first time next week.

Tavistock Musical Theatre Company will be doing the inaugural show on the new stage on Thursday, November 8 with its production 'Mad About Musicals'.

The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets are £6.50 for adults and £3 for children under 12.