GRAYS-born comedian and film star Russell Brand will be returning to the borough next month as part of the campaign to save the Thameside Theatre.

He has been a long time supporter of the locally based campaign, launched when Thurrock Council announced its plans to close the venue.

For the moment a stay of execution has been granted but the campaign continues.

The comic backed the campaign in a video and then promised to come and put on an event at the Thameside.

That will now take place and an event entitled 'Community', supporting the Save YOUR Thameside campaign and Stay Free Foundation, will take place on Monday, 5 December.

The event will include a day of shows, workshops, entertainment, interviews and much more. Early bird access to tickets is via the link below before they go on national release.

https://thameside-tickets.thamesidetheatre.com/.../117363...

A spokesperson for the campaign said: "We are so proud and grateful for Russell's support of our campaign to Save YOUR Thameside from closure by Thurrock Council, keeping the Thameside Complex as the arts and culture hub and the heart of our community for future generations