A Grade II* listed theatre has been added to the Theatre Buildings at Risk register.

Margate's Theatre Royal is a new addition to the list, and is one of the highest rated on the list - second only to Brighton Hippodrome.

The list of 35 theatres across the country, put together by the Theatre Trust, highlights venues at threat of closure or demolition, loss of funding, lack of maintenance, or neighbouring development.

Constructed in 1787 and remodelled in 1874, it's the last remaining theatre with its design intact by architect JT Robinson.

The Theatre Trust say: "The theatre has been managed by Your Leisure Kent Ltd since the Margate Theatre Royal Trust went into administration in 2012.

"However, this is only a temporary arrangement and is subsidised by Thanet Council and Kent County Council.

"The building appeared briefly on the Theatres at Risk Register in 2012 when the future of the theatre was uncertain.

"Thanet District Council is very supportive of the theatre which has been in its ownership since 2007.

"In 2014 they undertook a viability appraisal which looked at ways of making the theatre financially sustainable in the long term, and identified a scheme to re-orientate the entrance of the theatre towards Hawley Square, creating much-needed front of house facilities, bar space and disabled access, and using the adjacent 19 Hawley Square, a Grade II listed former hotel with potential for bar and restaurant facilities, as a means of helping cross-subsidise the theatre operation.

"Subsequently Thanet District Council entered into a tender process to identify a new operator for both the theatre and Hawley Square. Theatres Trust assisted in the process."

Theatres are rated on the immediacy and type of risk it faces, the quality and significance of the building, whether this is theatrical or architectural, and its importance to its community.

The Theatre Trust has outlined the theatre's current situation, saying: "The council has identified a theatre operator as a preferred partner to develop proposals for refurbishment and redevelopment.

"The proposed works include new front of house facilities, improved access arrangements and extended back of house facilities.

"The proposals are innovative in that they create a sustainable model for a charitably run theatre subsidised by a social enterprise hotel restaurant and bar in the neighbouring building, removing the need for ongoing revenue subsidy.

"However, substantial capital funding will be required to deliver the capital works project that will be necessary to support the sustainable operation of Theatre Royal Margate."

It is the only Kent theatre on the risk register.