A STUDENT from Darlington has travelled to Italy to take part in the country's oldest puppet festival.

Andrew Hutchinson, 21, from Hummersknott, performed three shows with fellow students at the Arrivano dal Mare International Puppet and Figure Festival in Cervia.

The group, from Brighton University, was invited to attend after a festival organiser saw its unusual production, The Modern Day Babysitter, performed in this country.

Mr Hutchinson, a former Carmel Technology College pupil, said: "It was a brilliant experience because we got to watch all the other people as well, from all over the world. We got really good feedback as well, and have now been asked to perform in Paris, Poland and Belgium."