A GUEST audience was treated to a preview of a show in progress set to be performed at North-East venues next Christmas.

The Darlington-based D Project works to get youngsters involved in dancing and recently won Arts Council funding to create its own Christmas show.

Choreographer Debbie Waistell is collaborating with a group of artists on the production which has the working title Celtic Christmas.

It is based on Celtic myths and legends which have been woven together to create a new story and was performed to an invited audience from the arts community and a primary school in Darlington.

Project manager Caroline Pearce said the team would listen to feedback given after the show and could make changes to it if the audience suggests.

She added: “We wanted to see what they think of the show before we intend to go to into full production in the summer.

“We intend that it will go to five or six venues around the region in Christmas 2014, which as a Darlington-based company is very exciting.”

The preview performance took place at the Cattle Market in Darlington to compliment the atmosphere of the settings within the story.

In addition to the Arts Council, the project is also being supported by Tees Valley Dance, Creative Darlington, St Bede's Primary School and Voodoo Café in Darlington.