Campaigners battling to save the Palace Theatre from closure are spearheading a last-ditch rescue plan to keep it open.
Actors Michael Heath and Sebastian Abineri revealed the scheme at a packed public meeting on Saturday which included former Palace artistic director Roy Marsden and star of stage and screen Roy Hudd.
Their plan hinges on money being donated by the public and investment from big businesses in Southend who want to keep the Westcliff theatre alive.
The central aim is to encourage 20,000 people to contribute £10 each, raising £200,000 to keep the theatre going for another year.
Meanwhile, a new "steering group" will approach big businesses with interests in Southend, asking them to donate part of their advertising budget to the Palace in sponsorship deals on a yearly basis.
Those companies would then be allowed to lend their names to productions or seasons at the Palace.
The plan was greeted with rapturous applause from the 300 campaigners who turned up to the meeting, including star names Roy Hudd and Roy Marsden.
* Full story and pictures in today's Echo
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