TOWN councillors in Lyme Regis will decide whether to give a grant to the town’s pantomime society today – some of which could be used to pay for dame costumes.

Last March, councillors considered giving a grant of up to £999 to the Lyme Regis Pantomime Society to purchase a new fog machine for special effects.

However, the society managed to find a second-hand machine for just £35.

The group then asked the town council if they could use the remainder of the grant for another purpose.

At the time councillors decided to refuse the request and asked the group for more information about how leftover funding could be reallocated.

This was because the town council was concerned the society might use the remaining grant money for general running costs, rather than a specific purpose.

At the town council meeting tonight, Lyme Regis Pantomime Society will set out a list of other costs associated with the 2020 pantomime, so councillors can reconsider allocating the funding.

A spokesman for the Lyme Regis Pantomime Society said: “As explained we have been offered a second-hand fogger machine at a much-discounted price and it would seem silly not to accept the offer.

“We’re hoping the money allocated to us from this year’s grant scheme could be used towards other parts of our production.

“The production costs us around £10,000 a year to put on each year; we never ask for more than £999, as you will see from previous years, and we fundraise throughout the year in order to be able to meet the remaining costs.

“We are a voluntarily run group and unlike some groups in the town that we know receive far higher grants, no one gets paid for the work they do to produce the show.

“We are proud to provide a safe, friendly, inclusive environment for anyone who wishes to take part in our shows, at minimal cost to themselves so that they can work together towards the end result, a show which attracts an audience, locals and visitors, of around 800 people during the week it is on.

“We hope the council will consider these points when making their decision.”

A report which will be go before town councillors has outlined some of the costs associated with the upcoming pantomime including £480 for dame costumes, £1,577.50 to hire the venue and £3,650 to pay for lighting and sound.

The £999 granted by the town council could be used to pay for any number of those things.