Croydon’s main theatre Fairfield Halls has smashed its previous sales record for the festive period.

The theatre had a number of sell-out shows during December and the New Year, including their ever-popular pantomime, which became its most successful panto ever in terms of revenue on Thursday night.

This year the theatre put on an adaptation of Peter Pan, starring Eastenders baddie Steve McFadden.

And despite not finishing until Sunday, chief executive of the theatre Simon Thomsett said the show is 21 per cent up on last year, which was also a record breaking year.

As well as the pantomime, the theatre has seen comedian Miranda Hart perform four sell-out shows, X Factor finalist Rough Copy perform a homecoming gig and a sell-out Christmas concert by conductor John Rutter and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

It has meant the theatre has seen a bumper footfall over the Christmas period, with an estimated 70,000 going through the theatre’s doors.

Mr Thomsett said: "It has been a really successful pantomime season this year. It is a great show put on by Evolution Productions and they have tailored it to our audience.

"It is a custom-built show and we are looking forward to doing Snow White with them for Christmas 2014.

"December has been excellent. Miranda Hart was brilliant as it was almost a secret gig as she was doing a lot of new material.

"Comedian Sean Lock sold-out, John Rutter sold-out and Rough Copy as well."

He added: "We are working really hard to keep ticket prices down so we can attract as many people as possible. To see Miranda Hart for £20 is a real bargain.

"Then with things like Rough Copy and Hannah Barrett, it is great as two thirds of the audience were from Croydon so it was great to have such a large local audience celebrating Croydon talent.

"It was a great end to the year."