Supporters of Worcester's Swan Theatre have been invited to give £100 to sponsor a seat, in a bid to raise extra funds.

But director Chris Jaeger said the theatre was not in financial trouble, although it was definitely hard-up.

Takings covered running costs, but left very little spare cash for replacing worn-out equipment.

"There is a difference between being in trouble and being broke," he said.

"Huntingdon Hall has been broke for 10 years, but there is no danger of closing or being unable to pay the bills."

Many of the 353 seats at the Swan are the original ones, installed when the theatre opened. They need replacing at a cost of more than £35,000.

So far, £1,000 has been raised, after 10 theatregoers responded to the appeal.

Each new seat will bear a plaque with the sponsor's name on it for at least five years after being installed.

Sponsorship of theatre seats was a popular way of raising funds and the old seats had been sponsored up to 40 years ago, said Mr Jaeger. Those sponsorships had now expired.

The theatre attracts large audiences for amateur productions by groups like Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society, Kays theatre group and Great Witley Operatic Society.

There is also popular support for pantomime, light drama, ballet and celebrity nights.

"One of the reasons the Swan ran into trouble before was that it was giving people what it thought they should have, rather than what they wanted," said Mr Jaeger.

"We are going for survival. If you don't get bums on seats, you close."

One of the success stories has been the transfer of large-scale tribute bands, such as the Counterfeit Stones and the Blues Brothers, from Huntingdon Hall to the bigger stage at the Swan, with more scope for lighting, smoke screens and sound equipment.

But Mr Jaeger said the Swan's public address system and stage lighting were badly in need of replacement and this would require more fund-raising and sponsorship.