A YOUTH theatre which closed nine months ago after it was flooded will be reopened by star of stage and screen Sir Ian McKellen.

A total of £10,000 was needed to repair a leaking roof at Burnley Youth Theatre, after a pipe burst inside the building and caused a major flood in May 2018.

For several months the Queens Park Road theatre has been running a fundraising campaign, Raise The Roof, and it has now reached its target.

Artistic director and CEO Karen Metcalfe, who says it is just three months away from reopening, said: “We cannot wait to get back into the theatre.”

Sir Ian, who is best known for his performances as Gandalf in Lord of the Rings and Magneto in X-Men, will reopen the theatre on May 23.

His visit comes as the actor, originally from Burnley, performs in his national tour of Ian McKellen on Stage as part of his 80th birthday celebrations. Sir Ian will bring his one-man show to the youth theatre and play Burnley Mechanics later that day.

The youth theatre, which was set up in 1973, has had a challenging year since the flooding and all activity has continued in their second building on site, The Moira Preston Building.

Bosses at the theatre have said they have been overwhelmed by the generosity of local people and the support they have received to reach their target.

Ms Metcalfe added: “This has been a collective effort of everyone who understands and values the impact that Burnley Youth Theatre has on local people.”