PERFORMERS treading the boards at Guiseley Theatre hope to get more bums on seats - after buying scores of new chairs for their audience.

Guiseley Amateur Operatic Society, which manages and takes care of the theatre, enlisted the help of local businesses to re-seat the whole theatre.

Shops and other businesses contributed £3,000 and the Amateurs made the total up to around £7,500 with the theatre's own money.

The theatre - originally built as Guiseley Town Hall - was built for the people of Guiseley in 1867. It was later taken on by Leeds City Council, which handed it over to Guiseley Amateurs in 1981.

The main hall is used for dances and other large events, and also doubles as a 300-capacity theatre, complete with stalls, stage lighting and full sound systems.

Antony Monaghan, of Guiseley Amateurs, said: "It's a fantastic building. It's a real hive of activity. We have four rooms downstairs, which we rent out to all sorts of organisations."

Guiseley Theatre provides a base for Aireborough Camera Club, Guiseley Freefighters, a playgroup, line dancing group and other theatre groups.