SUNDERLAND'S Empire Theatre has enjoyed its "busiest ever'' first day for ticket sales for a show.

There were queues when the box office opened on Monday to sell tickets for the touring production of the musical The King and I, which begins a three-week run on Tuesday, October 22.

Eager theatregoers also jammed the theatre's telephone lines.

There was big demand for the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Whistle Down The Wind, which opened on Monday and is playing until Saturday, February 16.

Box office manager Ben Phillips said demand for The King and I was a great achievement by anyone's standards.

He said: "We have also sold a great number of tickets for the show that is just starting - Whistle Down the Wind.

"Combining the two together, it makes it the most tickets sold in a day that we have ever done."

Theatre general manager Debbie Garrick said: "We are getting big shows at the theatre all the year round now.

"The people of the city and region are backing our faith in them by buying tickets as soon as they are available.

"I do not think that this record will last for long as people are now getting into the habit of buying long before the show comes to Sunderland to secure the best seats.''

For bookings call the box office, on 0191-514 2517.