Skipton'S Little Theatre might only need 70 people for a full house but recent productions have failed to raise even this much support from local residents.

Skipton Players, who moved into the purpose built theatre in the 1960s, have learnt that no matter how much hard work they put into trying to entertain the public, local people will not come to watch them.

The most recent production, The Second Mrs Tanqueray, attracted only 214 people over the five nights. Only 64 watched the play who were not members or connected with the cast.

"Not very many for a town of 13,000," said director Ann Busfield.

She added that she remembered productions during the 1960s when people could not get a ticket because they had sold out. Each production ran for eight nights which were almost always full.

Mrs Busfield said local residents were not supporting the theatre even though she knew many people would travel to Leeds or Bradford regularly for a professional performance.

"We are amateurs but we are good amateurs. Even though we struggle for performers, I think what we put on is pretty good," she added.

Actor and committee member Beryl Binns said: "If it does not change it will close."

She sees the future of the theatre as an amenity for the whole community. She wants the theatre to be redecorated and modernised so that it can be used by different groups of people.

But, she pointed out, if people do not pay to watch, the Players could not raise any money to pay for the refurbishment.

She said the small committee had applied for lottery money and written to various companies for sponsorship without success.

There are not many little theatres left in the country, and unfortunately many people in Skipton did not even know where theirs was, said Mrs Binns.

Mrs Busfield said she was the only director to hold open play readings and auditions before each production and that the others just called upon the same people over and over again, never offering the public a chance to get involved.

Mrs Busfield said the directors were always "scrapping" around for fresh actors and that new blood was always welcome.

Also on the downward trend are the membership numbers which have fallen significantly over the last few years.

Going back 20 to 30 years, there was a waiting list of people wanting to be members of Skipton Players but now the numbers are down to 120, with about 50 people letting their membership lapse during the last two years.

Mrs Binns thought that more and more people were becoming selective about the plays they watched and were not watching all five in the season.

She thought perhaps producers should choose plays by more popular writers to ensure "bums on seats".

Two of the eight dedicated committee members have announced that they intend to resign.

John Northrop, who is standing down as secretary, said the theatre desperately needed to attract younger people with the enthusiasm to carry on the group's good tradition.

"But how we go about doing that I just don't know," he added.

And Mrs Binns added that the time was right to bring fresh ideas into Skipton Players, either behind the scenes or on stage.

"It needs an influx of new blood, and money to be spent on it," she said, adding that she hoped Craven District and Skipton Town Council could see their way to supporting the theatre.

"If this one closes Skipton will be without a purpose built theatre, and it won't get another one," said Mrs Binns.