Swale's new mayor Simon Clark is going up in the world - thanks to a £70,000 new lift.

The Labour councillor who represents Homewood ward in Sittingbourne was one of the first to use the recently-installed elevator at the Criterion Theatre in Blue Town, Sheerness.

He was special guest at an open-day on Thursday to show off the new addition which opens up the top two floors of the building for those in wheelchairs or having trouble climbing stairs.

Members of the 16-strong Criterion Strummers ukulele orchestra led by Mandi Harkett, a regular performer at the theatre, also serenaded him with their versions of 60s song Da Doo Ron Ron and the George Formby classic Mr Woo.

Other organisations associated with the theatre and heritage centre set up displays in the auditorium.

Cllr Clark, 59, a former truck driver, said: "This was my first visit to The Criterion. It is amazing. I will certainly be telling my friends and family about it and coming again."

Before he cut a specially-knitted ribbon of bunting for the lift-opening ceremony he admitted being stumped for words.

He said: "I don't really know what to say. I've been asked to open a lot of things in my time but this is a novel one for me. How do you open a lift? Do I say 'God bless her and all who sail in her'?"

He ended up announcing: "I now declare this lift well and truly open!"

Theatre boss Jenny Hurkett guided him in, as trustee Mike Brown took him to the second floor where the mayor learned about Sheppey's maritime heritage.

He was told about the Royal Naval Dockyard, the wall of which still looms over the front of the former music hall, and inspected a replica of Lord Nelson's cabin as it might have looked on HMS Victory. Nelson's body was brought back to Sheerness after he was shot during the Battle of Trafalgar.

The first floor features Blue Town history with an archives and research room, a replica Co-op shop, a 1940s home complete with outside toilet and a Sunday school and old-fashioned classroom with desks, abacus, chalk blackboard and dunce's hat.

Ann Michalski, former chairman of the now-disbanded Sittingbourne Disabled Club, was in her wheelchair. She said: "The club had been on many visits to the Criterion for its Friday film shows and music halls but this is the first time I have been able to see upstairs. It's magic."

The theatre, which dates back to 1868, also hosts monthly "school discos" for £10 on Saturday afternoons which include "school dinners" of shepherd's pie and the Sheppey speciality of Gypsy Tart for pudding. "Pupils", many now pensioners, turn up in school uniforms and Jenny appears as the fearsome headmistress, wielding a cane.

She said: "It has been a battle to get the lift installed but it really opens up the entire building to everyone for the first time. We are all so pleased."

It took two years to raise the cash and then six months for her husband Ian and volunteers to knock holes in the ceilings to make room for the lift-shaft.

As he left, the mayor was presented with his own spoof Sheppey passport to allow him to return to the mainland and to also visit the Island again.

Some might say it is time Swale council needed new lifts, too. Back in 2017, firefighters were called to its offices in East Street, Sittingbourne, when councillors June Garrad and Monique Bonney, now deputy leader, had to be freed after the lift doors jammed, trapping them on the third floor.

The Criterion staged three sessions throughout its open day to allow Islanders to see what the new-look heritage centre has to offer.

It has a packed line-up of events – details of which can be found by clicking here – including a murder mystery night on Saturday, July 2, and Abba tribute act Abbachique on Friday, July 22.

For details call 01795 662981, or email criterionbluetown@outlook.com.