FATHER and daughter stage stars Johnny and Maureen Beattie attended an afternoon tea fundraiser to return the Citizens Theatre to its former glory.

They were joined by Ryan James from restaurant Two Fat Ladies in the drive to restore the seating at the Glasgow drama institution.

The seats in the main auditorium are more than 20 years old, and now seats in the stalls and at dress-circle levels will be replaced in two phases.

However, the Citz is hoping the public will donate money to the campaign to ensure the comfort of audiences over years to come. Artistic director Dominic Hill said yesterday's event marked a key milestone for the theatre as the seat restoration fund celebrates reaching the half-way mark towards the £314,000 needed to begin work in the Victorian auditorium.

"Since the Citizens is the second oldest operational theatre in the UK, I believe we have a responsibility to our present and future audiences to maintain this wonderful building and to keep alive the sense of history embedded within it."

Comedian and actor Johnny Beattie has been a fan of the Citz since the fifties.

"I've spent many a happy hour in that lovely auditorium, and I'm fair chuffed to be part of this campaign to restore Glasgow's world-famous people's theatre to its former glory."

Maureen added: "I am delighted to support the Citizens Theatre seat campaign.

"It was my teenage playgoing at this gem of a theatre that started my life-long love of theatre and made me want to be an actress in the first place."

l Donations of any size can be made online at citz.co.uk, at the box office or in one of the foyer donation boxes at the theatre.