The first stage of work to restore a 'masterpiece of Victorian design' inside the Morecambe Winter Gardens has been completed.
Phase 1 of work on the mosaic floor in the theatre foyer has been finished and supporters of the Winter Gardens were impressed when a photo was posted on the theatre Facebook page.
Years of neglect, vandalism and damage meant the foyer floor had to be covered and protected, with fears that it would sustain more damage unless the work was carried out swiftly.
"The final pieces all in the pattern now complete and our amazing restoration team will return to do the final polish after the tiles are settled," said a post on the Winter Gardens Facebook page on Sunday.
"This is phase one of the restoration of our nationally significant tiles design - the next phase will be the foyer friezes, the staircase and other architectural features."
Work began on the full restoration of the foyer tiles, ceramic floor and features inside the Grade II* listed venue last month.
Here's how the damaged floor looked prior to restoration work.
This came after a £45,000 fundraising target was achieved following a campaign through the online platform Spacehive.
Aside from online donations, the theatre received money from a grant, tombola, cake sales, donations and events including a stand-up comedy night by Lancaster-born TV comedian Jon Richardson.
The cash raised enabled the Winter Gardens to match-fund a £2.8m grant they received from the government and is a major boost towards a five-year plan to restore the building as a fully-open working theatre.
The venue closed in 1977 but has been able to reopen part-time in recent years thanks to the efforts of volunteers and the Winter Gardens Preservation Trust, owners of the building on Marine Road Central.
The mosaic floor was designed in 1897 by the Campbell Tile Company and has been described by Professor Vanessa Toulmin, chair of the Trust, as a "masterpiece of Victorian design".
Children's play area in Lancaster opens after £118k revamp
Illegal tobacco and counterfeit clothing seized during raid on Lancaster city centre shop
Lancaster bowling green fundraiser hits target
Six food businesses in Lancaster district fail allergen tests
LISTEN: Stars of Morecambe and Wise stage show can't wait for Eric's 100th birthday
LISTEN: Thousands enjoy Wray Fair finale to annual scarecrow festival
PHOTOS and VIDEO: Incredible sand art on Morecambe beach honours Sir David Attenborough
Row over Morecambe FC debt as ex-directors' firm issues winding-up petition against club
Morecambe Pride handed £3,500 grant boost
North West awards delight for talented stars of Lancaster musicals
Music festival set for Lancaster over Bank Holiday postponed due to ‘ongoing planning’
Lancashire Police Museum in Lancaster celebrates fourth anniversary
Police investigate alleged sexual exploitation at Lancaster flat
Beyond the Beat: Two arrests after assault in Lancaster city centre
Morecambe MP "appalled" as Lancashire set to quit refugee resettlement scheme
Replica RAF helicopter to go on display in Lancaster at three-day show
Life-size knitted mannequin pops up ahead of Eric Morecambe's 100th birthday
Stars play in celebrity football match in Morecambe in memory of brave teenager
Roses are red! Lancaster University students celebrate fifth straight victory
70 homes in Carnforth evacuated after bomb scare
