WESTON'S historic Blakehay theatre could get a huge makeover if people pick up the phone and vote during a set of live television programmes

WESTON'S historic Blakehay theatre could get a huge makeover if people pick up the phone and vote during a set of live television programmes.Weston Town Council is celebrating after finding out its application to the People's Millions for cash to revamp the building, in Wadham Street, has reached the final rounds.The bid for £44,600 of National Lottery money, which would be used to refurbish the auditorium and put in new seats and carpets, beat other projects from across the country. The finalists from the region will appear on ITV West news and GMTV and the competition will be decided by public text and phone support.Two projects will be screened nightly over three days in a head-to-head battle to win public support. The Blakehay will appear on November 16 and the winners will be announced the following day.Town council leader and Blakehay management committee chairman, Councillor Robert Payne, said: "I am absolutely delighted the Blakehay is to go forward to the public vote and that it will be featured on regional television. "We have a good chance of winning this much needed funding to help with our ongoing improvement programme and it will also give useful publicity for the excellent facility it is."I would like to encourage all Weston residents to watch the television programme on November 16 and vote for the Blakehay so this money will come into town."The Blakehay was adapted and enlarged by famous architect Hans Price in 1862 and is undergoing a five-year refurbishment.The historic building, which was Weston's first Baptist church, was run by the Civic Society until the town council took it over in 2004.