A FORMER Likely Lad will be among the guests when one of the region's oldest theatres launches a friends network this evening.

Rodney Bewes is one of a host of stars who have agreed to be patrons of the Friends of Richmond's Georgian Theatre Royal.

He has also agreed to attend a reception at Richmond Town Hall, North Yorkshire, from 7pm, which will mark the group's inception. The evening is open to all and includes talks on the Friends' objectives and the theatre's history, as well as its plans for the future.

A £1.3m restoration is under way, covering the cost of an extension as well as the refurbishment of the stage and auditorium. Work is expected to be complete by May.