The Trinity Theatre, already a popular venue for theatre-lovers, is set to be transformed into a heritage attraction in an ambitious £1.5m improvement plan.

The theatre based in the former Holy Trinity Church in Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, is looking to carry out key repairs and heritage conservation and upgrade the building's facilities.

Key to the scheme is a plan to open the clock-tower to the public and to provide a viewing platform for visitors to look out across the town.

Executive director Alex Green said: "The tower itself will provide us with a number of spaces that we an use to house a museum, based on both the building's history and that of it designer, Decimus Burton, who did so much to shape Tunbridge Wells."

The theatre, which is run as a charity, has got off to a tremendous start passing the first stage of a two-part application process for a £506,000 grant from National Lottery Heritage Fund and has already secured a £300,000 grant from Tunbridge Wells council. Other donations have already brought the expected total to £900,000.

The theatre is planning to launch a public appeal in June to raise the outstanding £600,000 needed.

The main project is planned for 2020/21, but work on upgrading the heating system could start later this year.

Alison Kemp, Trinity's grants manager, said: “This project has been three years in the planning, and we're delighted to secure these grants. It's a big step towards our dream becoming a reality.

"Trinity is very much a community venue and we’re really looking forward to sharing our plans with the town's residents."

One of the principle aims to is to make the theatre self-financing, which is especially necessary in the face of decreasing levels of Government funding for the arts.

Other contributors to the project so far include philanthropist, Charles Pope; KCC Cllrs John Davies and Peter Oakford through their local member grants, along with financial support from the Town and Country Housing Group and Royal Tunbridge Wells Together.

Mr Green said: "I'm really excited by this project, it will not only improve the facilities and experiences for our audiences, but will also create a unique attraction and visitor destination for the town."

In keeping with the Decimus Burton tradition, the theatre has selected a local architect, Michael Kaner from Kaner Olette Architects in Camden Road to draw up its plans.