West End performer Anita Harris evacuated the Blakehay Theatre in Weston-super-Mare along with audience members after the fire alarms went off.

The audience at the theatre, in Wadham Street, was evacuated into the Grove Park car park during the opening number in the second half.

Robbie Burns, who produces shows for the theatre with Sunshine Productions, said: “This was safely and quickly achieved by the Blakehay staff and the crowd was joined by a rather shaken Miss Harris dressed in a stunning red gown, black tail coat and top hat.”

While the street was illuminated by the fire engines’ lights, she entertained the crowd with the song There’s No Business Like Show Business.

She said ‘the show must go on’ while she spoke with members of the audience.

Anita Harris had a number of chart hits in the 1960s and also appeared in the films Carry On Doctor and Follow That Camel.

She is known for the songs Memory, Just Loving You, All That Jazz and Route 66.

Her touring show takes audiences through anecdotes of her life as a performer, as well as regaling them with songs.

Once the chief fire officer and duty manager Rob Heath gave the all-clear, the audience were invited back inside to watch the rest of the performance.

Mr Burns said: “As the house lights dimmed, Anita was welcomed back onto the stage with thunderous applause and she simply continued exactly where she had paused some 20 minutes earlier.

“She apologised for the delay and jokingly said she would cook breakfast for everyone.

“Her final bows were received with a standing ovation, a great finish to a very special night.”