THE curtain will fall on more than 40 years of Winsford history at the end of March, when all future functions and public performances will move from the Civic Hall to the new £10.8m Lifestyle Centre.

Vale Royal Amateur Operatic Society will provide the closing act less than six months after celebrating its 40th anniversary - a fitting finale, as the group was the first to perform at the popular venue shortly after it opened.

The Society has been synonymous with the Civic since first performing The Merry Widow in 1968, and has staged around 80 productions there. A four-night run of a new production is booked from Wednesday, March 25 to Saturday 28.

“It’s called 40 Years And Proud Of It, and it’ll be a celebration of all our shows over the years,” said VRAOS spokeswoman Dorothy Gribbin. “It will be very nostalgic, and very emotional for those of us who remember the hall opening.”

A Vale Royal Borough Council spokeswoman confirmed the shows will be the last before the new Chester West and Chester authority succeeds Vale Royal on April 1.

Campaigners and town councillors who opposed the closure of the hall feared it would be knocked down, but the council claims nothing has been decided yet.

A spokeswoman said: “Plans for the future of the Civic Hall will be considered as part of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s asset plans.”

Tickets for the last ever performance at Winsford Civic Hall, 40 Years And Proud Of It, are available from Vale Royal Borough Council on 01606 867546.