WORK has started on the Octagon's £10 million refurbishment.

The area around the popular theatre has been fenced off this week and yesterday work men moved in with a digger to start excavations.

The initial work being completed is redirecting the electricity.

The plans to refurbish the Octagon Theatre Bolton were first announced in 2015 and will enlarge and modernise the building.

When finished the theatre will have new studio rehearsal spaces as well as new look café and bar areas.

READ MORE: REVEALED: Latest vision of Bolton Octagon Theatre redevelopment

For the moment fencing is blocking the pavement outside the theatre in Howell Croft South and extends into Ashburner Street at the back. Artistic impressions of how the Octagon could look show it extending slightly and a whole new look is planned for the front.

When the plans were revealed Roddy Gauld, chief executive, said: "Much of the detail is still being developed, including the final colour and the material of the exterior."

Work should be finished on the theatre next year and it is planned to re-open in the autumn.

The theatre's company is still entertaining despite being displaced, Gulliver's Travels is currently on at Queens Park (see page three for our review).

At the end of October And Did Those Feet will tell the story of the 1923 FA Cup final between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham. This will be on in the Lion of Vienna Suite at The University of Bolton Stadium.

The theatre will finish its year with a retelling of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this will also be performed at the football stadium.