THE family of Durham's mayor were out in force at the Gala Theatre for opening night of West Side Story on Tuesday.

Not only was Coun Ray Gibbon performing his civic duty, he and his family were there to watch Matthew Gent, who is taking part in the Gala Theatre Stage School's version of the 1950s' American musical.

Coun Gibbon is Matthew's great uncle and the family had planned to be in the audience long before he was asked to be the city's mayor following the Liberal Democrats' local election victory in May.

But he and his wife Margaret, the mayoress, went backstage to wish Matthew and the rest of the 50-strong cast well. Matthew, 17, plays a member of the Jets.

West Side Story is the first major production of the Gala's in-house stage school, set up last year by director Lisa Thorner and assistant Katie Sorahan.

Summer workshops will be held at the theatre by the stage school for existing or new members next month.

West Side Story runs until Saturday. For tickets, costing £10, call the box office on (0191) 332 4041. For details about the stage school call (0191) 332 4054.