A bid to restore Ilkley's dilapidated King's Hall/Winter Gardens complex will receive a major boost with the return of Old Time Music Hall - featuring comedian Jimmy Cricket.

He will appear alongside Sixties singing star Susan Maughan - who topped the charts with Bobby's Girl - in an attempt to raise £10,000 towards refurbishing the venue in Station Road.

Representatives of groups which use the hall have formed a partnership with owners Bradford Council and the parish council to raise funds after a National Lottery bid failed.

From his home in Rochdale, Jimmy Cricket said it would be his first time in Ilkley and he was looking forward to the show.

"I love music hall and I appear at the City Varieties Theatre in Leeds quite regularly," he said, adding he was glad to be helping generate money for the restoration work.

"I love anything that helps keep live theatres going - I am only in the business because I love the buzz of live theatre," he said.

And he revealed the secret of his trademark wellington boots - which his wife buys from a shop in Bradford because she finds it hard to find anywhere else that sells wellies that turn over at the top.

Also appearing in the show on Friday, February 18 and Saturday, February 19 are ventriloquist John Bouchier, comedians Jim Casey and Eli Woods, and other traditional music hall acts. One of the organisers of the show, Andrew Sharpe, will act as chairman.

Parish and District Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, who is a patron of the complex, said she was delighted that the proceeds from the popular music hall event will be used to help refurbish the hall.

Members of the Ilkley Music Hall Committee said the money will go towards re-upholstering seats which will complement planned work on the foyer area and toilets.

"All work is to be in keeping with the Edwardian style of the original building to create a first class multi-purpose theatre and exhibition hall for the town," said a spokesman.

The popular Ilkley Music Hall had its first performance in 1962, and has raised many thousands of pounds for charities.

Tickets and information can be obtained from Ilkley's Tourist Information Centre on (01943) 436200.

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