The Palace Theatre in Mansfield has enjoyed its best ever year for attendance.

For a second consecutive year, there were record numbers of tickets sold in 2018/2019.

The Mansfield District Council-owned theatre is drawing audiences from both the local area and much further away.

It has programmed more productions and performances, resulting in the record levels.

Last year just under 104,000 tickets were sold.

On average each production was 75% sold and the hugely popular annual pantomime, Snow White over Christmas 2018, was 95% sold.

Compared to the national benchmarking of 56% for other theatres of a similar size, the figures show how well supported and loved the Palace Theatre is.

Mike Robinson, strategic director, said: “The Palace Theatre is an important cultural asset to Mansfield.

“Its continued success demonstrates that the venue is popular with local people and has wider appeal as a visitor attraction.

“The ambitious programme of events will continue to encourage more people to come to Mansfield and enjoy its entertainment offer.

“The theatre is the corner stone of the town’s visitor economy and it is excellent news that audience numbers are at record levels.”

The council said its vision was for Mansfield to be a desirable place to live, work, visit and invest.

It said it was committed to developing and delivering a place-shaping programme of improvement that encourages economic growth, improves wellbeing and raises aspirations for Mansfield district.

After receiving high levels of praise from theatregoers, the Palace is applying for the UK Theatre Awards Most Welcoming Theatre 2019 accolade, by demonstrating how place, people and programming form part of its welcoming package.

The venue was also recently awarded a gold customer service award by the town’s BID team (Business Improvement District).

Now the theatre is also aiming to reach another attendance figure landmark — two million customers since the Palace was refurbished with National Lottery money in 1997.