COUNCILLORS have pledged more than £3,000 to help a charity stage a Hollywood-style musical at a Borehamwood theatre.

Elstree, Borehamwood and Radlett Mencap received a total of £3,500 from Hertsmere Borough Council's Ward Improvement Initiative Scheme (WIIS) to put towards the show, called The Road to Hollywood, at The Ark Theatre, in Thrift Farm Lane.

The show will bring together Hertsmere Academy for Performing Arts, Theatre Club Kids and The Com.Unity Choir.

Susan Moser, from Mencap, and Melinda McCarthy are producing and directing the show.

Mrs Moser said: "This is a terrific opportunity to showcase local talent in our local theatre and at the same time raise money for a local charity - a real community event.

"We are immensely grateful for the support the council has given us to stage this event."

Councillor Morris Bright (Con/Elstree) said the councillors were “delighted” to pledge funding for the show.

Cllr Bright, former Councillor Darren Solomons (Con/Borehamwood Brookmeadow) and Councillor Andrew Zucker (Con/Borehamwood Brookmeadow) each pledged £1,000 to the group with Councillor Dr Harvey Cohen (Con/Borehamwood Brookmeadow) awarding £500.

Cllr Bright added: "The event will showcase the theatre as well as song, dance and other talent groups, while raising awareness of the work of this important charity.

"Elstree and Borehamwood local branch of Mencap has been running for 40 years and I think this is a wonderful way to celebrate."

The money will be used to buy costumes and other accessories for the performance which will take place in the afternoon and evening of Saturday, October 29.

Tickets for the show are available from The Ark box office on 020 8238 7288, or log on to www.thearktheatre.co.uk

Residents can make a bid for cash from the WIIS scheme to improve the area they live in. Each Hertsmere councillor gets £1,000 to support projects and schemes.

To have a scheme considered, contact the ward councillor for the area. To find out who your local councillor is, visit www.hertsmere.gov.uk/findmycllr or call 020 8207 7558.