A THEATRE company is moving home after 20 years, and will be taking up residence at a gallery with the same name.

The Turnpike Community Theatre which has been performing in Leigh for more than 30 years, is making its new home at the Turnpike Gallery.

It has had to leave its previous premises at Twelve Apostles at Westleigh, at short notice and the Gallery stepped in to help.

Producer and director Neil Gredecki said; "Unfortunately the venue was closing and all groups are having to move out. We have already moved our back stage equipment to the Gallery and we will be using it for rehearsing and putting on our shows."

The theatre group started in 1984 with a huge community production, and has continued since, putting on a summer show and a pantomime each year. It has members ranging from 14 to 72 and is run on a voluntary basis,

Mr Gredecki said: "CreativeLEIGH came to the rescue and invited us to move in within two days and have been amazing with us."

Chairperson of TCT, Gill David, said: “For many years Turnpike were nomadic, moving to different venues across the Leigh area. However, we have been at Twelve Apostles for nearly 20 years now and have loved performing in the Westleigh area. However, this is the start of a new Act in Turnpike’s history and it is fantastic that we will be going to a venue that shares our name and where the value of Community Theatre is truly recognised”.

The group’s first production at the new venue, PUss in Boots, will take place in late November.

Mr Gredecki added: “This production will be as good as ever and promises to please audiences with a performance that will be staged right in the centre of Leigh. We hope to welcome audiences old and new at our new home.”

Trevor Barton MBE, Chair of Trustees for Trust in Leigh said: “Turnpike Theatre is a respected group who have been putting on plays, pantomimes etc. in our community for many years. We are delighted that they have chosen to relocate to us. It will take a little time to sort out the layout, but working in partnership we intend not only to showcase our local talent but build the evidence to try fulfill our dream of having a performance space on the back of the Turnpike building as originally planned in 1971”.

Tickets for Puss in Boots are available at the Turnpike Gallery on Wednesday 25th to Saturday 28th November 2015 at 7:15pm visit www.turnpikecommunitytheatre.com. Use the discount code TURNPIKE before the end of September to receive a 10% discount on all tickets.