Arts centre The Drum has received the go ahead to carry out its first major extension since opening two decades ago.

The striking centrepiece of the project in Aston will be a bright red, 28-foot corrugated roof alongside expansion to its seating capacity and the creation of a new multimedia centre.

Under the refurbishment plans, designed by Jewellery Quarter practice BPN Architects, the main room will be expanded from 350 to 480 seats while standing capacity will rise from 750 to 1,000.

The roof extension is designed to tackle issues surrounding acoustics and sight lines from seats and enable The Drum to run the venue more flexibly.

Chief executive Charles Small told the Post: "It is fantastic planning has been approved. The decision certainly strengthens our Arts Council stage two bid, which is to be submitted shortly and the outcome of which will be known in September.

"We are ratcheting up our fundraising efforts on the back of two key positive outcomes - the city council's financial and construction support and now planning permission.

"In putting together our fundraising strategy, I was mindful we had a unique opportunity to make something powerful happen in Aston and Newtown, and Birmingham in general, that will last for the next 20 years to serve young people who will be our adult citizens of the future.

"We want to debunk the notion blacks and Asians are not natural donors and demonstrate our collective will and spirit to show that not only do we care but we will donate.

"I am quite excited about our planned fundraising journey that involves making bids to Birmingham-based and national trusts and foundations and appeal to our wealthy individuals and businesses."

The Drum, in Potters Lane, was once the site of the Aston Hippodrome between 1908 and 1980 and was founded in the 1990s to offer a hub for arts and cultural activities reflecting the diverse communities which existed within Birmingham.

Alongside its main auditorium, it houses two other, smaller performance areas - the 120-seat Andy Hamilton Studio named after the late jazz saxophonist and The Pit contained within the café.

Other elements of the planning application include refurbishing the existing first floor hospitality area, an improved technical area and lighting in the second level extension and new changing rooms.

A two-storey extension will be built at the back containing a larger seminar and exhibition room and a new multimedia room.

Work is expected to start on the renovation next spring provided the application for funding from the Arts Council is successful.