AN exhibition showcasing puppetry by young people has opened.

The display of pictures and puppets in the Theatre Gallery, at the Lamplight Arts Centre in Front Street, Stanley, is the result of a seven-month project by the Gobby Base Puppet Club.

Run by the County Durham community arts group Busy Ape Arts, the club involves 20 local children whose ages range from seven to 11.

Members meet every week in the Phoenix Arts Centre, in Harelaw, near Annfield Plain, and were given the challenge of designing, making and using puppets.

The exhibition shows how they have developed their skills and the puppets they have made since the project began in January.

Abi Barker, of Busy Ape Arts, said: "The excitement and versatility of puppetry is particularly attractive to children, and the members of Gobby Base have shown an amazing enthusiasm and creativity over the past months.

"We hope local people will visit this free exhibition when they are in Stanley town centre and see for themselves how wonderful it is when children can let their imaginations run riot and produce some fantastic creations."

The project is supported by Derwentside District Council, Arts Council North East, the Local Network Fund and the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.

The puppets created at Gobby Base can be seen in action in a performance at The Lamplight on July 25, at 7.30pm.

For details, call the arts centre on (01207) 218899.