An art centre's auditorium in Banbury is facing an extended closure due to significant water damage.

The Mill Arts Centre's initial plan to complete its recently discovered water damage within a few weeks will now take approximately three months to be done.

It has had to make other arrangements to reschedule, relocate or cancel its live performances up until April 14.

It said the damage has caused the need for extensive repairs to the auditorium floor and to future-proof against the issue.

Andrew Lister, chief executive, said: “We are enormously grateful for the patience and support of our audiences whilst our team are undertaking the mammoth task of trying to make alternative arrangements for each individual show – our auditorium may be temporarily out of action, but we will be doing everything we can to go ahead with as many of the affected shows as possible, albeit at a different time or place.

"Furthermore we are working closely with our landlords to ensure that we have the auditorium back up and running so we can welcome audiences back through our doors and enjoying live performance again just as soon as possible.”

The Oxfordshire County Council, the property's landlords, are ensuring the repairs, through their insurers.

The Mill said it has made alternative arrangements for all events scheduled to take place in the auditorium until the end of June.

They will be in touch with ticket holders as soon as they can confirm the arrangements for each performance.

Plans are also in progress for a temporary performance space in Banbury to house The Mill's theatre programmes.

It thanked its patrons and production companies for their ongoing support during the challenging period.

The auditorium's closure has affected The Mill, with live performance being their lifeblood.

It said the group is working hard to resolve the issue to welcome audiences back through their doors.

Despite these challenges, the rest of the building, including the Café Bar and a programme of creative classes and workshops, remains open.