WORK to fix the leaky roof at the Wyvern Theatre is progressing well and is due to be completed by the end of the summer.

The landmark venue has been surrounded by scaffolding since the start of July as work is carried out to fix the ageing building.

Just over £200,000 is being spent on the refurbishment which will not only see the roof repaired but also the outside terrace improved.

The new design will hopefully stop rain from coming into the auditorium, which has been happening for a number of years.

Famously, in 2010, comedian Michael Mcintyre was performing when heavy rain led to drips landing on stage.

The work is being carried out by Swindon Borough Council, which owns the 40-year-old theatre and leases it out.

A spokesman said: “The flat roof of the Wyvern Theatre which also forms a terrace on the building has been leaking for several years, resulting in water entering the auditorium.

“We, as landlords of the building, are in the process of fitting a fixed dome over the top of the terrace to stop this happening.

“Similar in design to the outdoor coverings in school playgrounds, the umbrella structure will deflect the water and remove the need for buckets to catch it inside the theatre.

“The terrace is currently used by staff and performers to move between different parts of the building and this will continue once the new structure is installed.”

As there have been leaks going for some time, the work is being done to preserve the theatre before it becomes too badly damaged.

The refurbishment has been welcomed by theatre staff, who hope it will improve everyone’s experience of the venue.

The theatre director Derek Aldridge said he was grateful the work was being carried out.

“What we are hoping is this will stop people getting wet whenever it rains heavily, as it comes into the auditorium and above parts of the stage.

“We have buckets and drip trays up in the roof which is obviously not ideal, especially when we also have quite expensive theatre equipment up there.

“It is a council building so it is their decision to go with the design and we have been working with them.

“We currently have a flat roof which is the source of the problem so hopefully this solution will solve it.”

The impact of the work on theatre users will be limited to the temporary closure of the adjoining car park and blue badge user bays.

However, the nearby ground floor of the Wyvern multi-storey car park can be used for parking during this period.

The temporary car park closure is needed while a large crane is stationed there.