PUPPET fans young and old are in for a FAB time after characters from one of television's favourite shows arrived in the region.

The stage show Thunderbirds FAB made its debut at Darlington Civic Theatre last night, having previously broken box office records in London's West End venue The Apollo Theatre.

The show runs in Darlington until Saturday, with performances at 7.30pm every night, and a Saturday matinee at 2pm.

Set around Gerry Anderson's world-saving adventures, the show was created in 1984. It has appeared for four seasons in the West End of London and three in Japan, as well as tours to Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Further details about the show are available from the box office on (01325) 486555.

l Andrew Dawson, as Thunderbird 1, and Gavin Robertson, as Virgil, prepare for their launch at the Civic Theatre.