A HAMPSHIRE school has been forced to postpone its annual production of Starlight Express after gales wrecked the theatre.

The sell-out production was due to have been staged at Ringwood School this week but has been postponed until the summer following the strong winds that battered the south last night.

A large marquee that was due to host the show was badly damaged, forcing the school to call off the event.

Staff and students had spent weeks building the custom-made 360-seat theatre in the grounds to accommodate the increasingly popular show.

People who had been planning to attend Starlight Express took to social media to voice their disappointment.

Bransgore School tweeted: “Trip to Starlight Express at Ringwood tomorrow cancelled – high winds damaged tent.

“So sad for all at the school who worked so hard.”