A THEATRE group, hit by allegations money had gone missing from its accounts, has been helped out by two generous donations.

Following recent Chronicle reports of alleged finanicial irregulaties in Dartmouth's Inn Theatre Company accounts, which saw a former member questioned by police, two benefactors have sent substantial donations.

This means the players will be able to put on their 10th annual Shakespeare production as planned.

The company has received £500 from a local woman who wishes to remain anonymous and £1,000 from Martin McGowan Scanlon, the boss of Profile Security.

Mr McGowan Scanlon said he had read the recent articles and thought it very unfair that a company trying to do so much for the community should be struggling.

The company is renowned locally for its charity fundraising as well as putting on its summer Shakespeare plays, raising £1,500 last year alone.

Members of the group hope to bring their 10-year fundraising total to £10,000, which has always been donated to local causes including Children's Hospice South West and the Parkinson's Cafe Support Group run by Dartmouth Caring.

Malcolm MacIntosh, artistic director, said: 'We continue to be amazed and delighted that there are people like Mr McGowan Scanlon who have come to our rescue and have made up some of the shortfall we were faced with. It means that there is no question that Twelfth Night will be presented with all the special effects that we had planned.

'This is our 10th anniversary and we had always hoped that we would be able to celebrate this year with a bang. Now with these two major donations, we can put all our plans into effect.'

When asked what special effects he had in mind, he would not divulge, but said: 'I really hope it is a dry night.'

Twelfth Night will be run from August 7 to August 11 in the open air at Dartmouth Castle or in St Petrox Church in case of rain.