Actor Gordon Kennedy has become The Fraser Centre Community Trust’s first patron.

Kennedy – who is from Tranent, and has featured in TV’s River City and Casualty, as well as BBC drama Red Cap – is delighted to be on board with the trust, as they look to make the former Winton Cinema into a hub for the local community.

And he is delighted to be on board to help a local cause.

He said: “I am so honoured and thrilled to be asked to be a patron of the The Fraser Centre Community Trust.

“I lived in Tranent and am, sadly, old enough to remember The Winton Cinema and more importantly remembering it closing.

“It is fantastic that The Fraser Centre is rising Phoenix-like from its cold ashes, and it is fitting that it is doing this through the hard work, commitment and spirit of local residents lead by Jonny [Russell, trust chairman] and his team.” Kennedy, 57, who made his name in former Channel 4 sketch show Absolutely, hoped to see the centre transformed, to allow people of all ages to make full use of the facilities.

And he added: “In a world where more and more entertainment is being delivered to you personally it is so important that places like this thrive and become a hub not only for entertainment but for education too.

“I have no doubt that this will happen and I can’t wait to see a movie there very, very soon.” And Mr Russell welcomed the news that Kennedy, who has narrated the British edition of Kitchen Nightmares since 2007 and who hosted the original National Lottery show alongside Anthea Turner, was backing the Fraser Centre.

Mr Russell said: “We are absolutely delighted to have attracted Gordon who has achieved so much and is so well respected in the world of entertainment.

“To add to the fact he is a local lad who remembers visiting The Winton Cinema makes him the perfect, and a very fitting, choice as our first patron.

“We have exciting development plans and this is further evidence of our progress and the support we have to fulfil our vision of bringing a state of the art centre for learning, development, arts and entertainment to Tranent.” For more information about the work being undertaken by The Fraser Centre and the centre’s community trust, visit www.thefrasercentre.com.