A dedicated stage manager who refused to accept that the theatre he loved would be lost has won a national award for his help in saving the venue.

Roger Miller gave up his time and used his tools to repair and refurbish and keep Felixstowe’s Spa Pavilion in good shape while it was mothballed and waiting for a new owner – and his enthusiasm ensured it was taken over and reopened.

Mr Miller, 67, who has worked at the seafront theatre for around 40 years, has now been named by The Stage as the theatre industry’s Unsung Hero of the year.

It forced Mr Miller, more used to putting the spotlight on others, into the limelight himself.

He said: “I was definitely far out of my comfort zone – the award still hasn’t really sunk in.

“It came out of the blue and I am really delighted, but I don’t think it will change me!”

When he began working at the Spa in the early 1970s, it was council-owned. Since then he has worked for various operators and is now employed by the new owners NRG Theatres.

While the building was closed for two years after the council decided it could no longer subsidise it, he became part-time manager and used the time to keep it ticking over and in good order.

Mr Miller said: “I was on the cusp of retirement, but they asked me if I would look after it part-time. I found there was lots of work to do and it could have been a totally different story if they had just locked the doors and left it.

“At one point, after the building was closed up for a week, I came in to find 90% of the seats had mould. It took me five days to chemically clean them. That really could have put off a new owner and new seats would have cost £500,000.

“All the work was worth it. I felt confident someone would take on the theatre – the Spa’s in my blood and I didn’t know if anything would happen but I had to keep the faith. Having it open again has given Felixstowe a real shot in the arm and it is really moving forward.”

Gary Wright, who resolved to rescue the theatre and nominated Mr Miller, said: “We cannot impress enough just how much Roger has done for the Spa over many years, and also how, when the building was in grave danger and looked lost it was Roger’s belief and dedication which gave us the confidence to try to save it.”