A teenager has been seriously injured after jumping from an upper circle balcony during a performance of Grease at a Blackpool theatre.

The Grand Theatre performance was halted and the theatre evacuated after the 18-year-old fell into the stalls, in the incident which left other theatre-goers shocked and upset.

He was treated at the scene and conscious when taken to Royal Preston Hospital, and his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: "We were called at 9.30pm last night (Thursday 2 June) to the report that a man, 18, had jumped from a balcony at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool during a show.

"As he landed, he caught the shoulder of a woman on the end of one of the rows, however, she was uninjured and did not require medical attention."

Other theatre-goers were left shocked, particularly as some of them had young children with them who witnessed the incident.

A joint statement released by the theatre and the company producing the show said: "Thursday evening's production was halted due to a serious incident when a young man fell from height into the aisle of the theatre stalls."

The statement added that, after consideration, the show will continue, with Friday and weekend performances continuing as scheduled.

Ruth Eastwood, Chief Executive of the Grand Theatre said: "The theatre is working with all the relevant authorities to investigate the matter with due diligence.

"Lots of hard work has gone into creating the show and the company and the young man's family have received numerous messages of support via social media and the theatre will offer any support we can."