A desperately needed refurbishment of an ageing 19th century theatre in Bromley has begun.

Bromley Little Theatre in North Street was founded in 1938 and was formerly home to a Victorian bakery in the 1800s.

Diane Ryken, a volunteer at the theatre, told News Shopper in November how the ambitious refurb was to "bring the building into the 21st century".

Repair work was recently started with the help of student bricklayers and carpenters from London South East College’s Bromley Campus.

The students were mentored by Alan Dalton, a professional builder for Volunteer It Yourself.

Alan said: "The guys have started eagerly, and we are nicely on schedule to convert the theatre’s lower floor into swish new changing rooms and wardrobe areas.

"This will entail a number of different disciplines including carpentry, bricklaying, plastering, dry lining and re-pointing.

"There is much to do, and the students will pick up lots of applied skills as well as receiving first-hand experience of working on a real construction site."

The theatre was boosted last year when a co-op store in Chatterton Road donated more than £6,000 for renovation works.

READ MORE: Plan to renovate Bromley Little Theatre given funding boost

Around 1,000 people are members of Bromley Little Theatre, which produces 11 shows per year.

It is estimated the full cost of the redevelopment will be in excess of a million pounds.

The theatre is hosting various fundraising events and will be applying for large funds once more development work is approved.