THEATRE groups from across the region have begun working together to produce bigger and better shows.

Stagecoach schools from Darlington and Yarm, Durham, Hartlepool, Newcastle and Sunderland and Nunthorpe and Guisborough, say the collaboration will provide new creative opportunities for young people.

They will work together under the banner Stagecoach Tyne Tees.

Trudy Hindmarsh, principal of Stagecoach Darlington and Yarm and Tyne Tees spokesperson, said: “We have created this new partnership to help provide outstanding performing arts education for our current and future students.

“Coming together as a regional force will allow us to provide opportunities and develop projects that might not have been possible as a single school.

“We can pool resources to put on bigger, better and more diverse performances that challenge our students and help them develop as performers.”

Stagecoach has operated in the Tyne Tees region for about 20 years. The schools specialise in performing arts education with an emphasis on increasing confidence and developing life skills in young people.

For more details, go to www.stagecoach.co.uk