CHRISTCHURCH'S popular theatre and arts centre has appointed a new general manager.

Felicity Porter has been appointed to the top post at the Regent Centre from her role as acting general manager.

Christchurch born and bred, Felicity joined the centre as deputy manager in 2013.

And along with a small group of staff and the centre's 200 strong volunteer workforce, the team is already planning a number of projects and plans, which include a new foyer bar area.

Felicity's grandmother Eunice Crabb has been a volunteer at the centre since 1983.

Before she joined the Regent, Felicity was Youth Arts Development Manager with Hampshire Museums and Galleries Trust from 2010.

Chairman of the board of directors, Chris Root, said: “My fellow board members and I are united in confirming Felicity as general manager.

"She has risen to every challenge we have set her and we greatly value both her guidance and leadership qualities in taking the Regent to a whole new level for the benefit of the local community in Christchurch and beyond.”

Felicity said: “I can’t wait to take up the challenge of taking the Regent forward in 2017.

"The centre is already the envy of other venues across the South and we have really set the standard to beat with 2016 being such a successful year.

"The Regent had the highest admissions in the UK for the 2015/16 season of live satellite screenings from the Royal Opera and Royal Ballet and was also ranked No 1 Cinema in UK and Ireland for admissions to Andre Rieu’s 2016 Maastricht Concert screening and to cap it all the Glad Rag Company have just smashed their own Christmas Spectacular box office record.

"This has been achieved by a combination of hard work, team effort and the support of our patrons. I want to thank the volunteers, staff and board members for working together to make the Regent the success it is today and I intend to make 2017 even better.”