SRUCTURAL repair work is due to start at the Regent Centre in Christchurch today.

Council engineers will be adding steel reinforced concrete to the base of one of the main columns supporting the theatre's balcony in a bid to strengthen it, and a new supporting prop will be added to the circle.

The work is expected to last until Friday, September 8, and once complete the circle will be re-opened.

Lindsay Cass, head of property at Christchurch and East Dorset Councils, said: “We are pleased that the structural engineer has designed a short-term repair that will allow the circle seating to be reopened to patrons of the Regent Centre.

"We continue to work closely with the Regent Centre to ensure repairs are co-ordinated to minimise disruption."

The works have been planned to have a minimal impact on the centre's timetable.

More serious repair works are currently being planned and are expected to require the replacement of corroded beams and the re-plating of corroded columns in the south east side of the building, the council said.

These works are to be carried out in Summer 2018. In the meantime, temporary scaffolding will be put in place this autumn to provide support to the south east wall of the auditorium.