A children’s theatre is losing its artistic director after seven years of tenure.

Jonathan Lloyd is leaving the Polka Theatre, based on Wimbledon’s Broadway, for a new role at the Pegasus Theatre in Oxford.

He said: "I’m fiercely proud of all we’ve achieved at Polka over the past seven years and will be very sad to leave.

"Polka is a rare and special place, a theatre dedicated to creating world-class work for children.

"There’s a fantastic team here and a vocal, supportive, demanding, passionate audience who have made my time here so enjoyable and fulfilling."

Under his leadership, the theatre produced 40 shows for children under 13 - his achievements include commissioning original work and developing the Early Years programme for children under five.

Executive Director of Polka Theatre, Stephen Midlane said: "We will all be very sad to see Jonathan go but wish him the greatest success at Pegasus.

"He has made a fantastic contribution to Polka, producing an impressive body of work that has successfully balanced hugely popular theatre productions alongside ground breaking community projects that have engaged with a broad spectrum of children and families."

He added: "His legacy will ensure that Polka continues to thrive and demonstrate on a daily basis the fun and inspiration that children enjoy from the release of their imaginations."