THE message is loud and clear - Andover people will not lose the town's community theatre without putting up a fight.

Letters have flooded into the Andover Advertiser's London Street offices from disappointed drama companies, furious theatre-goers and frustrated businesses - all users of Cricklade Theatre.

They have all rushed to join the Andover Advertiser's Save Our Theatre campaign and lobby the powers-that-be to prevent Andover becoming a cultural desert.

Andover's MP Sir George Young has also pledged his support for the campaign - speaking yesterday in the House of Commons on the theatre issue.

Theatrical technicians, Neil Scrivener and David Riley from Rigg It Lighting Logistics, have offered free labour for the improvements needed to Cricklade Theatre's ageing interior.

But their services will not be required unless Test Valley Borough Council or another outside body steps forward to 'Save Our Theatre'.

At an Andover Councillors' Forum this week, outraged members of the public accused the council of taking leisure facilities away from the town.

Leader of the council, Cllr Ian Carr, told a booing audience if Andover residents wanted a theatre, council tax would have to be increased by 10 per cent.

Terry Trevett, of the Weyhill Electronic Organ Society, thinks the demise of the theatre is likely to have a devastating effect on the morale of Andover residents.

"Surely the time is now overdue for the provision of an all-purpose community venue that will be able to accommodate concerts, plays, dances, conferences and exhibitions.

"I certainly support the Andover Advertiser's campaign to address the current abysmal situation," he said.

The end of community theatre in Andover has put the town's lack of cultural facilities under the spotlight.

A petition for a cinema in Andover boasting 579 signatures was presented to Test Valley Borough Council on Monday.