FREE arts and theatre are on offer to young people in Darlington.
The Civic Theatre and Arts Centre have been successful in an application to the national Free Theatre Initiative, and have secured a £10,000 grant.
The Free Theatre initiative is a two-year pilot programme offering free theatre tickets to under-26-year-olds.
The scheme is endorsed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and administered by the Arts Council, England.
It aims to give more cultural opportunities to young people and encourage a new generation of arts fans.
Details of how the scheme will operate in Darlington are still being finalised.
Andy Scott, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for health and leisure, said: "This is excellent news. The new initiative will provide a welcome boost to our existing work to develop theatre for young people in Darlington.
"It will help us to reach even more young people, giving them the chance to enjoy the many life-enhancing benefits that the theatre and arts can offer."
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