The theatre opened in 1897
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Supporters of an historic Lancashire theatre finally have enough money to buy it - after being left �140,000 in the will of a former performer.
Pat Burnett, who played the clarinet, died of lung cancer at the age of 63 and left the money to the Friends of the Morecambe Winter Gardens.
Although the group owns the building, the legacy means they can now pay off the loan needed to secure it.
The Grade II-listed theatre, known as Victoria Pavilion, opened in 1897.
It closed to the public in 1977 and was bought in Spring 2006 by the organisation, which had the aim of reopening it for the 21st Century.
Restoration plans
Theatre benefactor Pat Burnett was originally from Morecambe but settled down in Germany with her husband.
Mrs Burnett played clarinet in the Ivy Benson band, which toured the UK and Europe during the 1960s.
Group spokeswoman Evelyn Archer said now the theatre was secure they would apply to the Heritage Lottery Fund for help with its restoration.
And she told BBC News Mrs Burnett's memory would be kept alive at the Victorian theatre.
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