With less than three months now until the Rose of Kingston theatre officially opens to the public, fundraising has reached a new high and is now halfway to the grand target of £600,000.

The latest sponsor to be unveiled is John Lewis, which has donated £10,000 to enable the theatre to develop its outreach work in the community.

Cliff Vanstone, manager of sales services at John Lewis in Kingston, said: "We are delighted to learn of the donation that our chairman Charlie Mayfield has given to the Rose.

"I know that he, as well as the partners at the branch, are very supportive of Kingston's new theatre and the significant outreach programme the Rose has."

The Rose has received major sponsorship from restaurant Frère Jacques, Russell-Cooke Solicitors, Riverside Vegetaria, Carter Bells Solicitors and Menzies Chartered Accountants.

Charter Quay Residents' Association has also recently donated £350 to the theatre, which has no lottery or Arts Council funding.

Pupils from Latchmere School had the chance to mix history with culture when they were taken on a tour of Kingston's historical landmarks.

Aine Lark from Kingston Music and Arts Service and Howard Benge from Kingston Museum worked with 10 year six pupils and their teacher Jane Seeley to investigate potential routes to the theatre from Kingston station in preparation for its opening in December.

As they walked, they learned about many historical buildings in Kingston such as the site of the Old Empire Theatre and the telephone box sculpture in London Road.

Their educational tour finished in the Mayor's Parlour in the Guildhall with a question and answer session with Mayor Shiraz Mirza about Kingston life.