POOLE'S Lighthouse Theatre will close for a four-month major renovation at the end of May, it has been announced.

The arts centre will shut its doors to the public on May 28, as part of the ongoing £5.3 million upgrade programme. It is scheduled to reopen on October 12.

However, Lighthouse chief executive Elspeth McBain said: "Although we're closing the building for longer than usual this summer we are not going far away - far from it.

"While the work to upgrade the facilities and improve the technical capabilities throughout the building is being completed we are also planning a number of performances in spaces within the town."

The summer building programme includes relocating the main entrance to a more central position and installing a new glass frontage.

Contractors will also construct a new glass wall for the Gallery, a new water system, install low energy LED lighting, and completely transform the Studio theatre.

State-of -the art air cooling and humidification technology will be introduced in the main Concert Hall, which will also have its moving flat floor mechanism overhauled.

Improvements will also be made to the backstage area, dressing rooms, audio/visual facilities and sound insulation.

Ms McBain said: "If we are to attract the very best artists we need to make Lighthouse fully fit for the future and provide a first-rate experience for everyone who comes here, whether as an audience member, a performer, for business meetings or with any of the many groups that use the building."

A new education and rehearsal space will be built, and the theatre will get its first ever 'green room' during the revamp.

Ms McBain said the arts centre is already benefitting from initial work carried out last summer, which included new sound and lighting in the Concert Hall as well as other technical and mechanical improvements.

She added: "The investment in the future of this magnificent building will pay instant dividends by enabling us to develop our programme to respond to both our community and the theatre sector nationally."

Throughout this extended summer closure a temporary pop-up ticket office will open outside the Terrace cafe, operating a five-day service.

Tickets can also be purchased from lighthousepoole.co.uk.