Refurbishment of Winchester's theatre Royal cost more than £5m and took seven years--but it wasworth it, said Hampshire Ambassadors.

Their "rave review" followed a visit by the team representing the ambassador scheme which is run by the Economic Development office of Hampshire County Council in association with the Hampshire Economic Partnership.

Nicolas Young, chief executive at the theatre, welcomed the ambassadors, telling them of the many types of performance that would be presented at the theatre in the months and years to come.

Ambassadors also learned about the new education programme which will include workshops for schools and youth theatre groups.

The theatre is also an ideal venue for conferences, meetings, seminars and receptions, large or small.

From a small meeting for a few people to a major presentation for 400, the theatre is an unusual, but perfect venue.

Ambassadors were taken on a tour and shown the detail and effort that had gone in to restoring the theatre, marrying the old building with the new.

The result is a magnificent, 400-seat arts venue that combines today's technology with yesterday's architecture.

A spacious atrium situated behind the box office provides a caf bar that is open to the public during the day, and is another asset to the beautifully restored building.

"It is wonderful to have live theatre back at the Theatre Royal Winchester," said Paul Buck, of Montagu Ventures Ltd.

"The theatre is a focal point for the community --for business and leisure activities alike--and its plans to involve people in and around Winchester in its development has to be a recipe for success."