A CHILDREN’S theatre festival takes place next week (October 20-26).

The TakeOff Festival is an annual week-long celebration of children’s theatre, with drama, dance, puppetry and play at venues across the North-East.

There will be events at the Dolphin Centre in Darlington, Gala Theatre in Durham, Witham in Barnard Castle, Middlesbrough Town Hall, Hartlepool Town Hall, Stockton Arc and Washington Arts Centre.

Highlights include a retelling of the fairytale Hansel and Gretel, The Secret Life of Suitcases by puppeteer Allie Cohen and Handmade Tales, a tale of magical kingdoms and supernatural dictionaries.

There will be a family fun day at Durham Castle on Saturday, October 25.

The festival is funded by Durham County Council and the Arts Council and produced by Theatre Hullaballoo.

For full listings, visit takeofffestival.org.uk