TREASURES of the showbusiness past – including vintage make-up from the 1930s – have been uncovered as an art-deco theatre The Globe undergoes restoration.

The Stockton building, which once played host to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, is undergoing a multi-million pound refurbishment which will transform it into a live venue with a capacity of up to 3,000.

And workers have uncovered a series of interesting finds during the works, which are due to be complete in just over a year's time, and the end of 2018/ beginning of 2019.

Amid the discoveries are the original 1935 pulley system, the original spotlights, bingo memorabilia and even the vintage make-up.

Stockton Borough Council’s cabinet member for arts, leisure and culture, Councillor Norma Wilburn, said: “The Globe’s history is fascinating and it is wonderful that we are able to unearth more and more of it as the restoration takes place.

“What is even more pleasing is the number of people who are coming forward through the Globe’s Facebook page to tell us all about their memories of the Globe. It is great to hear from everyone and I urge anyone with an interest in the Globe to join the conversation and follow its journey on Facebook.”

Large amounts of scaffolding are now in place inside the grade II-listed building to allow the significant work to take place.

Asbestos is being removed from the ceiling, fly tower and roof void.

Dave Waites from MDS, which is carrying out the removal, said: "Although the scale of the asbestos removal required has made this one of the most complex jobs we have worked on within the borough, it is also hugely rewarding to see the restoration project progress."

The roof, which leaked, has now been made watertight and the surveys, investigations and cataloguing of the historic parts of the building are taking place.

Detailed design works are continuing to ensure the Globe can accommodate today’s music and comedy acts while also preserving its art-deco heritage and care is being taken to remove and store for potential future use many historic parts of the building such as the windows at the front and the internal doors. Mouldings have been taken of the ornate ceiling details so that new profiles can be cast as part of the restoration.

The bingo flat floor has also been removed so the structure beneath it can be examined and various holes have been made in the building’s structure to access the location and condition of steel columns and beams.

The restoration of the Globe is being funded by the council and a National Lottery grant through the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF)’s Heritage Enterprise scheme.

The Globe was originally designed as a "super cinema theatre" with full stage facilities and dressing rooms on three floors. Just two years after it opened it became an ABC cinema but was also used as a live theatre occasionally. It was a bingo hall from 1977 to 1996, and it has been vacant ever since.

To follow the Globe’s restoration journey visit www.facebook.com/TheGlobeStockton