THE restoration of an art deco theatre, where legendary performers took to the stage in its heyday, has been boosted with £4.5 million of National Lottery money.

The funding will help transform the Grade II-listed Globe Theatre in Stockton into a live music and comedy venue with capacity for 3,000 people.

Work on the ambitious project has been underway for some time and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) cash will be added to Stockton Borough Council's £10.5m to ensure theatre will open its doors within two years.

The "super theatre" on the High Street first opened its doors in 1935 and from the 50s until the late 70s it played host to plethora of stars including the Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, Cliff Richard and the Shadows, Buddy Holly, Lonnie Donegan, Bay City Rollers and Mud.

The Beatles played the Globe twice, the first time on November 22 1963 – the day US president John F Kennedy was assassinated.

The building eventually closed its doors in 1997 and had fallen into significant disrepair.

As the National Lottery support was announced, Stockton Borough Council said the Ambassador Theatre Group will operate the Globe for the next 25 years to attract top bands, artists and comedians.

Council leader Councillor Bob Cook said: "A project of this scale and nature requires substantial investment to attract world-class operators and to be feasible outside of London so we are hugely grateful of the funding from the National Lottery.

"The live entertainment venue will create 250 jobs and attract artists and performers who will bring more than 200,000 visitors to Stockton town centre every year, visitors who will also spend money in the nearby shops, cafes and bars, generating an estimated £18 million boost to the local economy each year.

"That's an incredible opportunity for people living and working in our borough and will make a huge difference to the future economic prosperity of the area."

The money is being awarded through HLF's Heritage Enterprise programme which helps to restore historic buildings when doing so is not commercially viable.

Ros Kerslake, HLF chief executive, said: "In almost every town and city there is at least one historic building, like the Globe, standing empty that at one time was at the heart of the local community.

"Whilst much-loved, these buildings present huge financial challenges. Heritage Enterprise is using money raised through the sale of National Lottery tickets to unlock the potential of the Globe."