A HOLE on pavement outside Manningtree’s theatre described as a “disgrace” will be filled in before Christmas.

Residents and councillors had hit out after no action was taken to repair the hole outside the Manifest Theatre in Oxford Road.

They were concerned someone watching a performance could have tripped and fallen when arriving or leaving.

The path defect was flagged up to Essex County councillor for Tendring Rural West, Carlo Guglielmi, and reported on the council’s website.

Mistley Parish Council chairman, Martin Rayner, said: “We stressed this very strongly when they did a show back at the end of October when the audience could have tripped and fallen. It is a disgrace.”

The hole has since been inspected and assessed by Essex Highways.