Sutton Theatres has been forced to postpone its autumn opera until next year because the budget for the show has been earmarked for building maintenance.

The refurbished Charles Cryer Studio and Secombe Theatre were to host The Lost Field of Summer from October 14 to 21, but bosses blamed an overspend on the revamps for the delay.

A Sutton Theatres spokesman said: "Sadly, the buildings require much repair and maintenance after years of neglect, and Sutton Theatres is disappointed that these unforeseen issues have now impacted its artistic output.

"The Lost Field of Summer will need to be postponed until 2016. This is due to budgetary concerns.

"Much of the budget earmarked for the opera now has to be spent on building maintenance on the Secombe and Cryer theatres."

The theatres will still hold their other shows, including the Pinocchio Christmas pantomime.