POP legend Sir Cliff Richard has added his support to the £11m restoration of the Royal Hall, in Harrogate.

In a letter to the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, Sir Cliff recalls performing there almost 45 years ago when he took to the stage with The Drifters, The Bachelors, The Rockets and Wee Willie Harris.

Also among the performers that night were another band few had heard of in 1959 - four boys from Liverpool who called themselves The Beatles.

"It was a great evening," wrote Sir Cliff. "I am sorry to learn about the problems faced by this lovely old building but it is encouraging to hear that the restoration programme is going well and that, within a couple of years, the Royal Hall should be restored to its original splendour."

Meanwhile, the appeal has also won the backing of opera star Lesley Garrett, who also performed at the hall when she took part in the Harrogate International Festival.

"That was in the very early days of my singing career. It is a lovely, gracious building and I'm sure it will be much better once the restoration programme is complete and it is returned to its original glory," wrote Ms Garrett.

The Royal Hall has been off limits for several months following a ceiling collapse - although the upper circle had already been closed to the public before that.

Corroded steel support beams and crumbling concrete were also found inside the building.

The National Lottery has since promised £7m towards the restoration programme, while Yorkshire Forward has pledged another £4m towards the bill.