A British comedy legend has lent his support to a campaign to save Harrow Arts Centre.

Comedy writer, performer and BBC Radio 4 panel games regular Barry Cryer has backed plans to transform the Hatch End site into a "Southbank Centre for North London" in a personal video released last week.

In the 34-second video, the 81-year-old said: "The Elliott Hall and the whole site has been part of my life since 1967. I've seen its ups and downs, its ins and outs and everything and it's really part of your life.

"So the knowledge that hopefully there is going to be a rejuvenation and a whole new project, which I'm getting involved in, gives me enormous pleasure.

"It's a whole new lease of life, a gear change and it’s really part of the local community. I want it to work because it deserves to."

Mr Cryer's career in showbusiness spans almost sixty years. As a comedy writer, he wrote for some of the industry’s greatest performers, including Morecambe and Wise. He was also a long running panellist on I’m Sorry, I haven’t a Clue. Now in his eighties, he continues to tour the UK as a writer and performer.

As a Harrow resident himself, Mr Cryer has also demonstrated his support of the centre by signing up as a patron of the new charity, Cultura London, which will manage the arts centre from May.

Cultura London is raising funds to modernise the arts centre and make it financially successful by building a cinema, art galleries, cafes, bars and a new larger theatre to compliment the site's historic Elliott Hall.

Harrow Arts Centre faced closure when Harrow Council announced that it could no longer afford its £500,000 annual subsidy.

It remained open after the council handed over the service to charitable trust Cultura London, but some £3.5 million needs to be raised to secure its future and begin the redevelopment.

More than £2 million of the funding will need to come from grants, which will then trigger a £1 million loan from Harrow Council.

But the rest of the money is being raised in the community.

Cultura London chief executive Sandra Bruce Gordon said: "Barry has always been a great supporter of the arts centre and we are delighted to have him on board as a patron."

Mr Cryer's video can be viewed on the Harrow Arts Centre YouTube channel.