THEATRE fans are being asked to show their love for Bolton’s biggest stage after it was nominated for a national award.

Staff at the Octagon Theatre are hoping to prove a winning smile and friendly hello are a top combination as they find themselves in with a chance of being crowned the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre.

Nominated in the North West category, the town centre theatre faces competition from 241 venues across the country.

However the winners are decided by a public vote so the theatre is hoping Boltonians, as well as visitors is has welcomed from both near and far, will get online and show their support.

Chief Executive Roddy Gauld said: “Here at the Octagon we love to welcome all of the communities of Bolton through our doors whether it is to see a show, to take part in a group or even just to visit our café.

“The people who come to the Octagon are essential to the theatre so it’s extremely important for us to ensure that everyone who visits us feels welcomed and supported.

“We’re very exciting to be nominated for the UK Theatre Award’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award, and hope the people of Bolton vote for us.”

Online voting opened on Tuesday and closes on September 19.

Winners will been announced in 12 Regional and National categories on September 29, before the overall winner is revealed at the UK Theatre Awards ceremony in London’s Guildhall on October 9.

The Octagon is hoping to follow in the steps of last year’s overall winner, The Theatre Royal in Newcastle upon-Tyne.

It faces competition from venues around the North West including the Liverpool Empire, Oldham Coliseum, Manchester’s Opera House and Palace Theatre, and the Theatre by the Lake in Keswick.

The competition is a chance for audiences to celebrate their local theatre and what the venues, and teams behind them, do for the local community.

Julian Bird, Chief Executive at UK Theatre, added: “Theatres throughout the UK play a crucial role in the heart of our communities and continue to thrive despite a challenging financial climate.

“This award gives audiences the chance to show how much their venue means to them.”

The Octagon Theatre has previously won praise from some very high-profile supporters including Danny Boyle, who described the venue as “one of the wonders of the world”, while actress Sue Johnson said it was “a jewel in Bolton’s crown”.

So far 2016 is proving a good year for prize winning nominations for the theatre.

In January it secured a £4.2 million Arts Council funding award which went towards its renovation scheme planner for 2018.

More success followed in March at the Manchester Theatre Awards, where the theatre swept the board when it picked up seven different awards, including best production, best actor and best actress.

Former artistic director, David Thacker, was also presented with a special achievement award.

To vote for the Octagon Theatre as the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre, in association with Smooth Radio, visit www.uktheatre.org/vote.