MUSIC fans have been able to enjoy live performances from a Hampshire arts centre thanks to the efforts of a video company.

Hanger Farm Arts Centre in Totton has been live streaming Friday night gigs to thousands of fans via Facebook, with more planned for the autumn.

Fareham company Inline AV, which specializes in streaming and producing live video, provided the multi-camera, high definition stream to the charity-run venue.

The 20 gigs this year have included local acts such as Liam White, Mike Vaughan, Nat and Ryan, and Ben Townsend.

Audiences have been donating as they watch, raising more than £1,000 for learning disability charity Minstead Trust while it is unable to run live shows with audiences at the arts centre.

Hanger Farm Arts Centre is run by Minstead Trust to help people with learning disabilities gain work experience in the arts centre’s café as well as running an inclusive community theatre group.

In return for its support, Inline AV has been admitted to Minstead Trust’s Business Club as a platinum member. The club is a group of more than a dozen businesses which support the trust’s work and receive exposure and invitations to exclusive events.

Billy Jameson from Inline AV said: ‘From our background in working in theatre and the arts, a big part of what we enjoy is to provide entertainment and to enrich other people’s lives.

“Hanger Farm being part of Minstead Trust provides us with a great opportunity to feel as if we can give back to other people in our local community and help out a very worthy cause. The trust provides an amazing service to lots of people and it brings us great privilege to be able to support them in what they do.”

Kyle Maxwell, Hanger Farm Arts Centre manager, said: ‘It has been a very difficult year for us. We have had to postpone dozens of shows, events and weddings and we remain unsure when we will be able to fully open again.

“Our weekly virtual gigs have been fantastic, raising money for the arts centre while keeping our loyal audience entertained while we can’t welcome them in person. The generous support of Inline AV means we can produce really high quality streams. We are incredibly grateful to them for their support.”

The coronavirus crisis has vastly reduced the trust’s income, with its social enterprises closed for several months. As well as the arts centre, it runs Furzey Gardens in Minstead and the Minstead Lodge hospitality and events venue, which also offer work experience for people with learning disabilities.

The virtual gigs can be seen at minsteadtrust.org.uk/virtual-stage, where there is also an opportunity to donate.