With just weeks to go until Her Majesty is in town for the Royal Variety Show, workers are transforming the Opera House.

This includes revamped dressing rooms, bars and seating.

And should The Queen need a comfort break during the five hour show on December 7, there will be a new lavatory available for her sole use.

The current Royal toilet suite, being renovated by a team of maintenance men and front of house staff, is tucked away on the circle foyer in the Opera House, where it has gathered dust since Her Majesty's last visit in 1955.

Staff are repainting the walls, replacing the doors, toilet, sink, flooring and ceiling.

However, The Queen never used the room when she visited half a century ago.

Work is set to begin on Monday, when Front of House manager Lynda Baker will move in with her troops to clear the room, which has been used for storage for the last 20 years.

Mrs Baker, who is employed by Winter Gardens owners Leisure Parcs, is managing the mammoth task of renovating the 70-year-old auditorium, along with the surrounding foyers and dressing rooms.

She said: "It's a massive job, but it's been a real team effort. We've nearly redecorated the first two floors of dressing rooms, and some of the auditorium and circle bar, which The Queen will use.

Opera House revamp - see The Gazette on Monday