Inverness and Nairn Enterprise (INE) has pledged its support for the redevelopment of Eden Court Theatre with a funding package to help carry out feasibility and design development studies.

The local development agency is committing £158,100 towards this stage of the project - the critical planning phase of a £9.8 million total revamp of the venue.

Eden Court Theatre was opened in 1976 and is the largest professional arts venue in the Highlands and Islands, attracting over 150,000 attendances each year.  However, in a bid to meet the needs of today's discerning artists and audiences, Eden Court requires a new look.

The feasibility and design stages are due to be concluded within two years with work starting on the redevelopment of Eden Court in 2005, which will be competed in plenty time for the Scottish Year of Culture in 2007.

Proposals for the upgrade and extension of the Theatre include a new 250-seat second theatre, two cinema screens, dedicated drama and dance studios and a resource for the creation of new work in digital media.

INE chief executive Stuart Black said: "The redevelopment of Eden Court Theatre is an extremely important project, not just for the Inverness area but for the whole of the Highlands.

"At INE we are delighted to be able to add our backing to the project because we see the growth of our arts and cultural offering as a very important component in our drive to attract businesses and individuals to relocate to the Highlands."

Further funding for this stage of the project has come from the Scottish Arts Council, The Highland Council, Scottish Screen, Friends of Eden Court, the European Regional Development Fund and the Common Good Fund.