The Lowestoft Journal and Eastern Daily Press have helped give a much-needed lifeline to a community theatre facing permanent closure.

The two Archant titles joined forces when The Seagull Theatre in Lowestoft was closed after Suffolk County Council slashed its £60,000 a year funding amid a £24m wave of cuts.

The move outraged the community, which launched a campaign to save the theatre, lobbying the council to reverse its decision and reopen the much-loved arts venue. Campaigners were immediately backed by the papers, which ran a series of hard-hitting articles.

But when it emerged the council was preparing the Victorian building for an imminent sale, The Journal and EDP launched an emergency appeal for financial backers to help the campaigners buy the theatre to prevent it being sold for redevelopment.

Two days later two investors, one who had seen The Journal article and a second who had seen the EDP article, came to the theatre’s rescue.

Now campaigners are negotiating a deal with the council-appointed estate agents.

Journal editor Russell Cook said: “Working together as the two titles has proved a great success and just goes to show how much the power of the press can have an influence on people and also support worthy campaigns in the community.”

EDP senior reporter Lynette Alcock said: “It was clear from working with the community how loved and important the Seagull Theatre was, which is why both papers backed the campaign.

“I’m delighted with what we have achieved so far, I’m just hoping that the theatre is saved and look forward to continuing to support it over the coming years.”