MARK Courtice, chief executive of Theatre Royal Winchester, is leaving his post at the end of the year.

Having led the theatre for the last five years, Mr Courtice has decided to return to his previous work as a consultant.

Mr Courtice leaves at a time when the Winchester venue is achieving record sales.

He said: “I will be sad to leave this vibrant theatre and its wonderful staff and supporters but I want to move on to new challenges.”

Mary Dawson, chairman of the Live Theatre Winchester Trust which runs the venue, said: “We’re very grateful to Mark for all he has done. During his time here, he has made Theatre Royal Winchester the exciting heart of the community.

“Mark has built the theatre’s reputation for presenting top class theatre and has greatly extended our educational and community work. He also saw the organisation successfully take on the running of Hat Fair.”

Theatre Royal Winchester has begun the recruitment process to find a new chief executive.