A theatre school in Lincoln is able to reopen after the community rallied round to repair damage caused by a break-in last month.

The Curious Theatre School in Clasketgate will be welcoming students back to class from next Wednesday.

Owners Sarah-Jane Honeywell and Ayden Callaghan feared they would have to close the business after it was ransacked by thieves on January 4.

But its pupils’ parents and local construction company Lindum Group have stepped in to save the school.

Former CBeebies presenter Sarah said a dad of one of the students had offered to help with some electrical work while two mums have been raising money to help replace stolen equipment.

Meanwhile, Lindum Group provided two skips free of charge and donated the time of small works joiner Daryl Negus to carry out repairs.

Daryl helped to fix the damage caused during the break in, helped to clear the studio, and hang new doors to secure the building.

Sarah said: “Lindum has been fantastic. We can’t thank the company enough. Because of the work Lindum has done, the kids can now come back to the studio and have this amazing place back.

“We have put everything we’ve got into the theatre school, so finding the money to put it right was going to be incredibly hard. Lindum and other parents have made it possible to keep going because without that help we would’ve had to close for good.

“With a bit more work, we are looking to open a week on Wednesday, now that the doors are fixed, and the building is secure again. This is amazing considering where we were even a few days ago.”

Sarah was informed of the break in by a neighbouring business owner, who saw people going in and out of her premises.

When she arrived at the studio, she found broken doors, electrics pulled off the walls, and thousands of pounds worth of costumes and other items damaged.

Lindum Group Managing Director Freddie Chambers said: “After news of the break-in was featured in the local news, I was approached by one of our employees, Liam Jenkinson, to see if we could help. Liam’s daughter Lexi (11) attends classes at the school.

“We got in touch with Sarah and offered to help where we can. Our maintenance team has helped to clear out and secure the building, so that hopefully Sarah’s business can reopen soon.”

As well as damaging the building, the thieves also took or damaged a piano, a drum kit, an Apple Mac computer, expensive mirrors, and other items belonging to the students.

Sarah said they are still trying to raise money to replace some of the damaged or stolen items. She said: “We are still looking to raise as much money as we can. We have speakers that need replacing, a security system, the drains need repairing, and we’d like to be able to replace the piano and drum kit.”

The Lincoln Performing Arts Centre at the University of Lincoln will also be hosting a benefit show on April 30 for the school, featuring performances from the students and supporting actors within the industry.