ORGANISERS of Stockton International Riverside Festival are celebrating a £70,000 present from Northern Arts.

The donation means the organisers will have £95,000 to spend on the festival.

Alex Cunningham, Stockton Borough Council's cabinet member for education, leisure and cultural services said: "We are absolutely delighted with this extra funding which is a recognition of Stockton's commitment to art and culture."

The festival takes theatre on to the streets so that more people can appreciate it