BOLTON'S Octagon Theatre wants to expand its thriving corporate membership scheme.

The theatre already has a list of sponsors that includes The University of Bolton, William Hare, Warburtons, Fujitsu and The Royal Bank of Scotland, as well as a number of local firms from a variety of sectors such as Leigh's Paints, Bentleys, Joe Egan Solicitors, Warings Chartered Accountants and Tower FM.

Eleanor Wotherspoon, the Octagon's sponsorship and development officer, said: "We are looking to showcase our ambition for the future, and as part of this we are looking for companies and individuals to become involved in not only our 40th anniversary celebrations, but also for years to come.

"Arts sponsorship is becoming an increasingly popular business activity in Britain. Most of us will have heard the fashionable phrase CSR and a lot of larger companies now have dedicated corporate social responsibility teams.

"While we do court large multi-national companies for high-end sponsorship such as production sponsorship, we are looking to involve our smaller local companies as much as possible."

Companies can support the theatre through its corporate membership scheme, which is organised on bronze, silver and gold levels, each of which deliver a variety of advantages.

Miss Wotherspoon said: "Becoming a corporate member of the Octagon combines a unique opportunity for advertising with excellent networking opportunities through corporate hospitality evenings.

"It also allows companies and their staff to experience some of the best theatre in the UK and to support one of Bolton's most valuable cultural resources."

Any firms interested in sponsorship can contact Eleanor Wotherspoon on 01204 556 507.