GENEROUS arts lovers are being encouraged to purchase a spare ticket for those otherwise unable to attend a major theatre festival.

The organisers of the Jabberwocky Market – a performing arts festival taking place throughout Darlington in October – are promoting the idea of ‘suspended tickets’.

The initiative invites people to buy their ticket for the event and pay for another in advance, to be held and later donated to someone less fortunate.

The idea was inspired by suspendedcoffee.com, which encourages members of the public to order extra ‘suspended’ drinks, which are then donated to those unable to purchase their own at participating restaurants and coffee shops across the world.

Tickets for the Jabberwocky Market – which will see Darlington transformed into a hub of creative activity – will go on sale tomorrow.

The event, taking place from Thursday October 3 until Sunday October 6, will feature a number of theatrical shows and performances held at venues across the town.

For more information, visit jabberwockymarket.org.uk or follow @JabbMarket on twitter.

Tickets can be purchased from the Civic Theatre’s box office by calling 01325-486555.