NATIONAL Lottery arts funding chiefs this week rejected a bid for a £98,000 grant to help refurbish Minehead's Regal Theatre.

The news was broken to Minehead Amateur Theatrical Association in a letter from the Arts Council of England.

However, thespians in West Somerset pledged the £202,000 improvement scheme would still go ahead.

MATA Regal Theatre Co Ltd will now meet to try to find out why the lottery application failed.

MATA lottery co-ordinator Elaine Ross said it might be possible to re-apply with an improved bid once the reasons were understood.

"While obviously disappointed, the board is still planning to go ahead with the intended improvements," said Mrs Ross.

"We will continue to work closely with South West Arts in order to improve the chances for a further application."

Mrs Ross said the company board would also continue an on-going fund-raising campaign involving businesses and other organisations in order to complete the project.

She said £22,000 had already been raised and further offers of money had been made on condition lottery funds were secured.

The timetable for redevelopment of the theatre was likely to change because of the set-back, but the full effects would not be known until a thorough review was carried out.

Parish councils across the district have already been asked for donations of any amount, large or small, to help with the work.

MATA wanted to carry out most of the building work between February and May of next year.

Roofing repairs were recently started thanks to a West Somerset District Council grant.

The full scheme would see a complete redesign and rebuild of the Regal's dressing rooms and a major refurbishment of the bar area with reinstatement of French windows and a balcony overlooking The Avenue.

MATA supporters have already raised funds for improved disabled access and facilities, including an auditorium induction loop for the hard of hearing.

It was all part of an improvement programme begun when MATA took a lease on the Regal four years ago.

New seating, sound, and lighting equipment has also been installed.