COLCHESTER Arts Centre was able to host one of its first events in six months, in the unfamiliar surroundings of Castle Park.

A total of 140 people attended a special evening of socially distanced comedy at the park’s bandstand.

The evening was compered by Jo Fletcher-Cross, featuring comedy from Mo Omar and Harriet Dearsley and with well-known stand-up Hal Cruttenden topping the bill.

Arts centre director Anthony Roberts kicked off festivities by recording the latest of his daily poetry series in front of the audience.

The event was a fundraiser for the arts centre, which has been closed for six months, and was supported by Our Colchester BID’s Go Create Fund and Audio Plus.

There was a reduced capacity at the event with audience members seated in social bubbles and having temperature checks on arrival.

Audience member Jenny Kaye said: “It was so emotional to attend an event again, some kind of normality and hope for the events industry at last. Thanks Colchester Arts Centre for a wonderful evening.”

Visit colchesterartscentre.com for updates on reopening.