Theft causes £10,000 damage at Morecambe Winter Gardens

Thieves caused a leak at Morecambe's Winter Gardens Theatre when they stole metal from its roof.

Lead flashings were taken from the Grade II listed building some time between 28 September and 6 October, police said.

The damage is estimated to have caused damage that will cost up to £10,000 to repair.

The building was closed in 1977 and is owned by a local conservation group.

It was built in 1870 and included a ballroom, seawater baths and bars.

The Friends of Winter Gardens group, which has won the support of US actor David Hasselhoff, is hoping to gain funding to renovate the building to its former glory.

Its patrons include comedian Ken Dodd, designer Wayne Hemingway and Gary Morecambe, the son of Eric Morecambe.