A special groundbreaking ceremony has taken place in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, to mark the start of construction work on the town's new £20m performance venue.

Vinci Construction has been appointed to build the 4,625sq m (49,783sq ft) building, which will be situated at the heart of a new Civic and Cultural Quarter development.

Muse Developments is working with Doncaster Council on the project, with the new facility to include a 600-seat theatre with fly tower and a 200-seat/400-standing performing space.

Drama and dance studios; education facilities; a box office; dressing rooms; and a café will also form part of the venue, with a large area of public realm set to complement the building.

Designed by Arts Team RHWL, the venue has received £2.1m from Arts Council England and is scheduled for completion in spring 2013.

Doncaster mayor Peter Davies said: "This is an historic moment for Doncaster as work on its new venue gets underway.

"With its numerous performance spaces and world class facilities it will be another big attraction our residents and visitors to the town can benefit from."