A PAIR of 15-year-old twins have launched an ambitious scheme to save Waltham Forest Theatre.

Nicky and Lee Caulfield want to take-over the doomed building in Lloyd Park, Walthamstow and transform it into a modern working theatre for the whole community.

But the council is determined to demolish the building.

The boys, who have been keenly involved in amateur dramatics all their lives, have done research, costed their project and drawn up a business plan.

They have already got the support of Hollywood actor and Old Vic artistic director Kevin Spacey and local councillor Bob Wheately.

Now they are looking for other adults to help with their campaign.

Lee said: "We want an affordable theatre for the community and we want to encourage young people to get involved in theatre."

The teenagers are angry about council plans to demolish the building and replace it with an open-air performance space, which they think will not best serve the community.

"The other places to perform like the Assembly Hall are not affordable," Nicky said.

"The Scout's Gang Show had to move from there because it was so expensive."

The twins, from the Wood Street area, came up with their idea after successfully getting £6,000 to refurbish the stage at Leytonstone School, where they are both sitting GCSEs in applied business studies this week.

If their dream builds up steam and they win the £2.5m funding they need, they will replace the roof, soundproof the walls and fully refurbish the building.

Nicky said they had arranged for experts to assess what work would be needed to get the theatre up and running.

"The building itself is in useable condition but it needs improving to make it safer and to improve the facilities," he said.

Both admit they need adults' help but said they would love to run a theatre eventually.

Lee said: "People have got an impression that young people aren't capable of doing things before they get qualifications but it doesn't take a genius to think up an idea.

"We're the proof young people can do things."

Cllr Wheatley said he supported them "100 per cent"

"Where else can people go especially community organisations? I know it needs work doing but I'm positive that if we could get people like Kevin Spacey involved then we have a good chance."

Their Mum Jill, 46, an IT technician at a school said she was really proud of her sons.

"I did discourage them at one point but a 17-year-old who is a millionaire gave a talk at their school and he said never give up. When they came home they were determined."