DARLINGTON'S Hippodrome Theatre has sold 162,851 tickets after staging 358 performances since it reopened a year ago following a refurbishment.

Management at the theatre have worked out that since the reopening, in the various bars and in the new Hippo Lounge there have been 16,179 coffees and 21,784 pints of beer or cider drunk, as well as 2,535 locally-baked scones and 42,384 ice creams eaten.

The last year has also seen 6,542 historical items catalogued as part of the on-going archiving of theatrical memorabilia such as posters, programmes and press cuttings dating back to the theatre’s original opening back in 1907.

A number of top-drawer theatrical stars have graced the Hippodrome stage in the last year including Lee Ryan, Phil Daniels, Jimmy Osmond, Stefanie Powers, Joe Pasquale, Susie Blake, Ruby Wax, Pam Ayres, Jane McDonald, Cannon & Ball, Belinda Laing and Ray Quinn.

And several more star names set to appear in the Spring 2019 season, starting with Louie Spence and Zoe Birkett in the festive family pantomime, Aladdin.

The Hippo Lounge is open from 10am every day serving drinks and snacks to all.