A theatre chief is "bitterly disappointed" that Tier 3 restrictions forced him to cancel carefully planned December events including a family pantomime.

James Tillitt of the Astor Community Theatre in Deal had to reschedule November's events for December after the second Lockdown was announced on October 31, and his team was preparing to put on a show-stopping pantomime Santa Saves Christmas on December 19.

But as feared the production can't go ahead after Kent was placed into Tier 3 in the latest round of Covid precautions.

He now says the pandemic-struck venue is again in a kind of limbo, awaiting the next announcement.

He said: "For The Astor Tier 3 has meant that we have reluctantly had to cancel all remaining events at the theatre for the rest of the year, in order to comply with the law and to protect the health and safety of the community which we serve.

"It is a bitterly disappointing end to a very difficult and challenging year and, whilst there does seem to be a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, it looks to be a bumpy road ahead for some time yet.

"All ticket holders have been contacted regarding our refund policy."

And where he can't stage Santa Saves Christmas, he is exploring the option of a virtual Panto experience through Gary Starr Pantomimes.

Plus socially distanced doorstep visits from Santa can still go ahead along with zoom calls from Lapland for shielding families.

The Astor, like other theatres and arts venues have been hard hit by the pandemic. Even before the first lockdown was announced theatres were told to close before the first lockdown was announced.

Extraordinary support has been pledged to the Stanhope Road venue from locals and regular users.

They raised £18,500 through a go fund me account; £21,000 from additional personal funding, such as cheques and cash donations through the door.

Penny Harvey's art raffle raised almost £3,000 and Postcards from Lockdown collated by Deidre Kashdan and Rebecca Bain Smith also collected about £3,000, while people not claiming their refunds, raked in £1,200.

"We are crossing everything in the hope that with the review of the Tier 3 arrangements for Kent due on December 16 ..."

In total some £45,000 has come in which is being use to pay overheads.

The theatre has also been able to furlough staff it was planning to make redundant because the job retention scheme was reintroduced when the second lockdown was announced.

Mr Tillitt added: "We had already rescheduled most of the November events including the sold out Live at the Astor, films and the recorded performances of War Horse, Fleabag and all the others. "Now that all the December events have been wiped out, including our fantastic Santa Saves Christmas panto, we are back in that state of waiting for the next announcement.

"We are crossing everything in the hope that with the review of the Tier 3 arrangements for Kent due on December 16 we may be able to go ahead with the early 2021 programme and be able to welcome back our wonderful supporters.

"I do feel that this situation will probably carry on until the spring next year and only after the vaccination programme has been rolled out will we be seeing the first steps towards a full reopening in the autumn with a full programme of events and activities.

In the meantime, all of us at the Astor would like to thank this community again for their support, generosity and goodwill.

"It means a lot to us as we keep this iconic venue viable and safe."

The proceeds from Santa's doorstep visits will help the theatre's funding streams. Mr Tillitt is pledging 10% of this profit will go to the Deal Foodbank which helps families and individuals in food poverty.

You can support The Astor Theatre by clicking here.

Read more: All the latest news from Deal