A SHOW penned by a North-East writer has won a prestigious award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

The play, Going Viral, which was produced by Stockton's ARC theatre and written and performed by Middlesbrough-born Daniel Bye has won a Scotsman Fringe First award.

The show received a series of four star reviews at the festival. The Scotsman's awards are the most long-established there and are only awarded for new pieces of work.

The show was praised for Bye’s trademark blend of comedy, storytelling and performance lecture and explores the spread of disease, panic and ideas.

Dr Mark Booth, Senior Lecturer in the School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health at Durham University, was the scientific advisor for the show and helped inform its material and structure through his background in epidemiology of parasitic infections in developing countries.

Mr Bye said: “Winning a Fringe First is about as big as it gets, so I’m absolutely thrilled.”

ARC's Chief Executive and producer of Going Viral, Annabel Turpin said: "Winning a Fringe First is a huge accolade and further evidence that some of the UK's best new theatre is being made right here in Stockton."

Going Viral will be performed at ARC on Thursday, December 3 at 7pm. Tickets can booked in person at ARC, via www.arconline.co.uk or by calling the Box Office on 01642 525199.