A SIGNIFICANT milestone has been reached as the £10 million refurbishment of Bolton's Octagon Theatre moves a step closer to completion.

Yesterday witnessed the formal topping out ceremony - the moment when the highest part of a building is put in place.

The man doing it was Mr Graham Leigh, senior building manager for Willmott Dixon, the construction and property services company tasked with carrying out the refurbishment.

Among those attending was Roddy Gauld, the Octagon's chief executive, artistic director Lotte Wakeham, leader of Bolton Council, Cllr David Greenhalgh, and the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Hilary Fairclough.

Writing on Twitter, Miss Wakeham said she was “delighted” that the first phase of the new building’s structure was complete.

She thanked all those who have supported the theatre so far.

A spokesman for Bolton Council described the ceremony as a “huge milestone”

The Octagon Reimagined - as the project is known - will improve the customer experience, update backstage facilities, increase accessibility and provide space for more community work.

The theatre is set to reopen in Spring next year.