SIX new trustees are aiming to provide a further boost for the Milton Rooms in Malton.

An appeal in the Gazette & Herald for new trustees to come forward to help the venue has brought an enthusiastic response from local supporters.

The six new members have now been elected to the board of Malton’s community arts centre.

Judy Cliffe, chairman of the trustees, said the new members brought with them a range of professional and arts skills to guide the Milton Rooms’ ambitious expansion plans.

"This is a real shot in the arm to take the Milton Rooms to the next level by modernising the facilities, expanding the range of our entertainments programme and bringing in larger and wider audiences,” she said.

The six new members are Andrew Little (solicitor); Denise Gilfoyle (former head of OutReach at the Stephen Joseph Theatre); Anne Pegg (trustee and treasurer of Ryedale Youth theatre); Martin Parrott (a Milton Rooms volunteer and stage manager of Malton and Norton Musical Theatre); Merryn Wilderspin (a Milton Rooms volunteer with a background in property, arts management and marketing) and Ben Mehrtens (new representative for Norton Town Council).

Also re-elected to the board were Judy Cliffe (chairman) and Stephen Shaw. They join five other continuing members of the existing Board.

The Milton Rooms operates as a charity and is entirely run by part-time volunteers.

More are still needed to help with managing front of house operation, box office, bar and technical support.

Anyone interested in lending a hand should phone the Milton Rooms on 01653 696240.