A FLEDGLING theatre group has been overwhelmed by the support from the community which has helped them build a new venue in High Wycombe.

The Renegade Theatre Company is working hard to turn a disused warehouse in Duke Street into a 180 seater theatre.

And since the Bucks Free Press published an article in July calling for help to complete their youth project they have been inundated with offers.

Chloe James from the company said: "It has been a labour of love for us, which we thought it would. It hasn't beaten us yet.

"We really wanted to get across now how much support we have had.

"It has just been incredible- we didn't ever expect the response we got.

"After the article was published we have had people offering everything from curtains to an architect offering her services. The kindness that people have shown has been amazing."

The company was started by a group of theatre professionals- Chloe, Samuel Parker, Toby Darvill, Anna and Julia Saunders and Jerome van den Berghe.

They put on a successful youth production in February called Zombie Prom and after struggling to find a venue for their next show- they decided to start their own.

And due to the amount of help offered- they have been able to refurbish it for £15,000.

Chloe said: "It seems to be something the community want to get on board with."

The company has become a charity and has four trustees- Daryl Back, Chris Hocking, Jenny Knowland and Bari Malik.

Anna said: "You get the moment of trepidation where you think, 'Are we really doing this?' Then you look around the room and think, 'Yeah we are. This is really exciting.'"

They would like to say thank you to the following people and businesses who have offered their services for free or at a discounted rate: plumbing - Select Heating; architect - Suzie Bridges Architects; paint - Mark Hartley at Dulux Decorator Centre; legal advice- Bari Malik; solicitor- Bruce Sinclair; electrical labour - Jon Nichols and Joe Groom; electrics supply - Grant and Stone Electrical; skip hire - Mini Skips; van hire - Thrifty and scaffolding/set - Tim at Scenery Salvage.

They are still looking for a builder for their external door and a floor grinder.

Their next production Lucky Stiff runs at Duke Street Theatre from November 5 to 8 and has a cast of 22 aged 15 to 20. Call 07817 407339 or go to www.renegadetheatrecompany.com/tickets.

If you think you can help call 07917 712521.