THE new Cafe Bar at Theatre Royal Winchester has been officially opened following a breakfast event.

Guests tucked in to items from the menu, which includes fine teas, pastries, cakes and light lunches.

Those invited included the Leader of Hampshire County Council, Cllr Keith Mans, Cllr Eleanor Bell, Mayor of Winchester and partners, supporters and investors of the theatre.

The opening comes after a summer of refurbishment work.

Play to the Crowd, the charity behind the theatre, worked with the county council's architect team to transform the building in to a "more vibrant, inclusive and accessible space".

At the event Deryck Newland, chief executive of Play to the Crowd, thanked all of the charity’s supporters as well as the contractors who had helped.

Entertainment came from local vocal harmony group, The Spitfire Sisters, and Alresford-born pianist and composer, Jake Gauntlett, who performed during the unveiling of Trilogy – a sculpture gifted to the theatre by Winchester-based artist and sculptor, Nadine Collinson.

The Cafe Bar is open every day from 8am (10am on Sundays).

PHOTOS: Adrienne Photography