A CHARITY for people with learning disabilities has scooped the top prize in a theatre's Christmas contest.
Darlington Mencap won 250 tickets for Newcastle Theatre Royal's Christmas pantomime, Aladdin, starring ex-Big Brother star Jonny Regan, John Inman and Stu Francis.
Second prize in the competition, of 100 tickets for the show, went to St William's RCVA School, in Trimdon, County Durham, and third prize, of 50 tickets, to Newcastle's Gingerbread charity. Runners-up prizes of 20 tickets each went to other children's charities.
The competition will enable 640 youngsters to attend the first night of Aladdin, on Monday, through 15 local charities.
Jonny said: "It's fantastic so many local charities will be coming to see Aladdin. I know a lot of charities simply don't have the funds to treat the children to a trip out, so I'm really chuffed we've been able to do this."
Aladdin runs at the Theatre Royal from Monday until Sunday, January 19, 2003. Tickets can be booked by calling 0870 905 5060.
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