Surging ticket sales have landed Worthing's three main theatres their busiest spring season since records began.

More than 76,000 seats were sold at the Assembly Hall and the Connaught and Pavilion theatres during the Christmas season.

That success has continued through January and February and the volume of sell-outs is the highest the theatres have seen for this time of year.

Now they need to recruit six more box office and marketing staff to cope.

Spokesman Jamie Normington said: "Since the launch of the spring season brochure in late January there have been unprecedented levels of business at all three venues.

"This puts us in a good financial position and proves we must be doing something right. The only problem we've had is dealing with such high demand."

Spring sell-outs have included the new interactive concert Singalonga Abba last Saturday, which outsold pop singer Louise's show at the Assembly Hall earlier this month.

A world premiere tour of Alan Ayckbourn's Damsels In Distress trilogy, which finishes on Saturday, also proved a big hit at the Connaught, with more than 5,000 tickets sold.

Mr Normington said: "This season we have tried to achieve a balance between traditional and new shows. We want to cater for all types of audiences."

Forthcoming sell-out acts include comedian Jethro at the Pavilion on Friday and Hank Marvin's farewell tour at the Assembly Hall on May 22.

Worthing Theatres manager Peter Bailey said: "We are usually quiet at this time of year but the volume of sell-outs has been fantastic."