A theatre in Ealing has asked all those in the local community for "urgent help" as it enters the final days of a fundraising campaign for essential building works.

More than £36,000 has been donated to The Questors Theatre since its roof appeal was launched in early July.

The Crowdfunder, which hopes to raise £100,000, will enable the theatre to restore the roof of its Judi Dench Playhouse, which leaks badly after rainfall and poses a growing risk of the Playhouse becoming unusable.

In addition to donations online totalling more than £26,000 and cheques to the value of £10,000, if Questors raises an additional £10,000 a donor has promised to match the amount - a combination that would rocket the theatre to more than 50 per cent of its campaign target.

With just over a week left to help Questors reach their goal, the theatre said: "We are now urgently asking for your help to share our Crowdfunder with your friends and to donate what you can to restore our Playhouse roof.

"Our Judi Dench Playhouse has now come to the end of its life and, despite periodic patching, leaks badly after rainfall. This renovation is therefore essential to ensure the safety, well-being and comfort of our cast, crew, members, audiences, and the continued production of shows.

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As President of The Questors, Dame Judi has asked the many people entertained, moved, enlightened and amused by one of the countless productions staged to contribute what they can to the project and ensure The Questors "continues to develop creative artists and provide theatre of an excellent standard to the community".

Chair of the theatre, Doug King, said: "Your help via the Crowdfunder will speed along meeting the costs of the roof replacement – and therefore also bring forward the planned follow on steps for refurbishing the interior of the Playhouse, including the replacement of the seating and improvements to access."

Click for photos of damage to the playhouse and to donate to the Questors Theatre' Crowdfunder.