Comedian Doug to headline night of music and laughter at Cannock's Prince of Wales Theatre. Could it be the last show?

Doug, known for his clean, observational comedy, will be appearing at Cannock's Prince of Wales Theatre on April 29. He will be supported by musicians Steve Ashcroft and Martin Lewis, who will perform music from the 1960s and 70s.

Barring a last-minute rescue, it is likely to be the final show at the Prince of Wales before the curtain falls.

The council-run theatre is due to close at the end of the month as part of a cuts programme, although Cannock Theatre Trust is seeking to reopen it as a community theatre.

It will be the third year running that Doug, Steve and Martin will have brought their Music and Laughter Show to the theatre in Church Street.

More than 20,000 people have so far signed a petition calling for the theatre to be saved.

The authority said earlier this year that talks had taken place with "interested parties" hoping to save the theatre.

Doug spoke of his sadness at the news.

"It's really sad, the theatre is the heartbeat of that town," he said.

"I think the arts are an easy target, with  so much gloom around, people need somewhere they can come to relax."

Campaigners trying to save the venue have received a boost after the Theatres Trust announced a £7,000 grant from a scheme which aims to support theatres at risk of closure.

The Prince of Wales is one of 10 theatres on the trust's Theatres at Risk register to be selected for a grant.

Trust chief executive Joshua McTaggart said: "All the theatres on our register are special buildings that have real potential to bring joy and opportunities to their communities.

"We are thrilled to support 10 of these fantastic theatres with essential strategic projects that will lay the foundations for their revival."

Ben Farbrother, treasurer at Cannock Chase Theatre Trust, said the funding would be used to help support trustees with business planning, audience development and fundraising strategies.

These were the main areas which the trustees felt they needed professional assistance with, he said.

Cannock Chase Theatre Trust hoped to reopen the theatre "as soon as possible" after the completion of planned construction work which was going on around the theatre.

The work, under its original plan, would have seen the theatre temporarily close for at least a year, he said, and would mean the theatre would be closed until at least February next year.

Mr Farbrother said he was 'very, very confident' that the theatre's doors would reopen under community ownership, which would likely to be in the second half of next year, if all went to plan.

Tickets for The Music and Laughter Show, featuring Doug Parker, Steve Ashcroft and Martin Lewis, priced £20, are available from the box office on 01543 578762.