The £25.5million redevelopment of the Marlowe Theatre has won the backing of husband and wife actors Prunella Scales and Timothy West.

The couple, who have been married for 45 years, have become patrons of the appeal campaign.

They said: “The Marlowe Theatre holds a special place in the heart of the many artists who have performed there over the years.

“Thanks to this project, the south east will have a spectacular new performance space.

“The New Marlowe Theatre is one of the most exciting projects taking place at the moment. We are delighted to support this wonderful project.”

They join the 14 patrons, including Orlando Bloom, Jools Holland and Joanna Lumley, who are backing the fund-raising campaign which aims to raise £6million of private donations towards the estimated total cost.

Campaign chairman, Sir Graeme Odgers, said: “It is a great honour that two such leading lights of the British acting profession are backing this campaign.

“Their support for regional theatres is vitally important and we hope that they might be able to play a role in helping the new theatre develop some of the great performers of tomorrow.”