A COMMUNITY arts venue reopens today after a £100,000 refurbishment.

The Customs House, South Shields, has been given more comfortable seats in the main auditorium, and new lighting has been installed in the main and the secondary auditoriums.

The ground floor has been transformed, and a new box office built, overlooking the River Tyne.

The former box office has been turned into a bar, and on the first floor a seated caf has been created.

The theatre will be open today so people can look at the changes and visit art exhibitions.

Theatre managers hope that the refurbishment will attract more visitors.

The venue's autumn programme includes folk singer Kate Rusby and Eric Clapton tribute band After Midnight