They have witnessed countless murders, love stories and intrigues and supported the bottoms of thousands of theatre-goers over the last 50 years.

Now the red velvet seats of the Theatre Royal in Brighton have had their final call.

The rows of fold-up chairs, installed in the Fifties, have been dismantled to make way for a new set.

Countless celebrities, ranging from royalty to stars of stage and screen, have parked their rears on the cushioned chairs.

Recent VIPs have included Paul and Heather McCartney, Barbara Windsor and Dame Vera Lynn.

The seating is part of a renovation of the royal circle over the next four weeks while the theatre is shut.

Three years ago 150 seats were replaced in the stalls and by 2007, the theatre's 200th anniversary, it is hoped the second circle will have had the same treatment. Funds have been raised through the theatre's Sponsor a Seat campaign.

Sponsors include actors Timothy West and his wife Prunella Scales.

Julien Boast, Theatre Royal chief executive, said: "Not only will the royal circle be improved aesthetically but we have managed to increase legroom without losing any seats."

Work is also being done on the new Phipps club room, an exclusive bar for members of the theatre's friends scheme named in honour of the theatre's architect Charles Phipps.