RADCLIFFE film director Danny Boyle attended a fundraising launch yesterday in support of a new arts centre.

The 57-year-old former Thornleigh pupil, pictured, is patron of HOME, created following the merger of Manchester’s Cornerhouse and the Library Theatre Company.

The event was held in support of the new arts centre, ahead of the building’s opening next spring. It was also attended by local businesses, young people involved in HOME projects, patron Suranne Jones and Manchester City Council chief executive Sir Howard Bernstein.

Mr Boyle, whose films include Slumdog Millionaire and Trainspotting, said: “Having always had a great relationship with Cornerhouse, I’m really excited to be supporting HOME. The funding that the organisation has already received recognises the scale of HOME’s ambition. Now, I’d love to encourage individuals and businesses to get involved and show them how they can benefit from, and be a part of, Manchester’s bold arts scene.”

He joined graduates of Cornerhouse’s BFI Film Academy on a tour of the HOME building site.

He also met the cast of Walter Meierjohann’s Romeo And Juliet, the second production of HOME’s site-specific theatre programme opening tomorrow at the iconic Victoria Baths in Manchester.