A THEATRE company has had an ice cream created especially for its Christmas show.

Theatre Cap-a-Pie, from Dipton, has teamed up with ice cream business Mark Toney for its production of The Amazing Adventures of Mary-Lou and the Ice Cream Pirates.

The Newcastle-area confectioner has made a dish called Captain Benny's Buried Treasure, which is sea-blue ice cream studded with chocolate jewels.

Anne Marcantonio, of Mark Toney, said: "We are proud to be helping Theatre Cap-a-Pie produce this wonderful play for children.

"Mark Toney has always tried to support community projects wherever possible, so when Gordon Poad, of Theatre Cap-a-Pie, asked us to get involved with this production, with its obvious relevance to our business, I was very happy to offer our help."

There will be a free Mark Toney ice cream for everyone in the audience at the play, which is at The Store, in Dipton, near Stanley, from Wednesday to Friday, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

"Best of all, of course, was the great fun we had inventing the special ice cream, Captain Benny's Buried Treasure."

The play follows the story of two hapless ice cream sellers, the Gellatti brothers, and their dream of becoming pirates.

When the boys join the Ruby Dog, the most feared pirate ship on the high seas, the boys soon learn that with swashbuckling excitement comes nail-biting peril.

There is a free Mark Toney ice cream for everyone in the audience at the play, which is at The Store, in Dipton, near Stanley, from Wednesday to Friday, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.