Theatre destroyed by fire

The theatre was renovated by volunteers

One of the oldest buildings in a Derbyshire town has been totally destroyed by a fire.

The Duchess Theatre in Long Eaton, which was a converted church, had only recently been renovated.

More than 50 firefighters were called to the blaze on Salisbury Street on Saturday night.

It took the firefighters from across Derbyshire more than four hours to put out the fire.

Theatre director Leon Wade said: "I am personally devastated by the fire because of all the hard work that we have put into the project.

"It is beyond belief that it has happened so quickly."

Mike Beedham of the theatre committe said: "All the refurbishment work is done by volunteers, so it is really a tragedy."

Investigations are continuing into its cause.