Work on building a £6 million casino on the site of Scarborough's former Royal Opera House is nearing completition.

The complex, which has been built by seafront amusement arcade tycoon Nikolas Shaw is due to open late next month. The venture will provide jobs for more than 100 people and will also inclujde a restaurant and bars.

The theatre closed 12 years ago and later fell into dereloiction when it was bought by an off-shore company based in the Canary Islands.

In i9ts heyday the theatre, built in 1876 and restored a century later, played to packed houses with its summer season shows starring such names as Ken Dodd, The Grumbleweeds and the cast of the Carry On films.