TWO landmarks are to become the stages for an arts festival this summer.

The grounds of Kirkleatham Museum, in Redcar, and the backdrop of Gisborough Priory will be the venues for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's annual Outdoor Theatre Festival.

Tickets are available for the performances, which begin on Friday, July 13, when the Oddsocks company presents Comedy of Errors at Kirkleatham Museum.

One of the programme's highlights will be a day of puppet theatre - and puppet-making - at Kirkleatham on Thursday, August 9, with three productions, each followed by puppet-making workshops.

The council's cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, Councillor Sheelagh Clarke, said: "We are extremely fortunate to have these beautiful settings in which to hold these performances, and we are building up the number of productions that are visiting the borough.

"I attended several last year, and took my grandchildren, who were thrilled to pieces."

The programme will conclude with a performance of The Wizard of Oz, at the Priory, presented by Heartbreak Productions.

The full programme - at Kirkleatham Museum, unless stated - is available on 01642- 496424.

For tickets, call or visit the council's three tourist information centres - at Gisborough Priory (01287-633801), the Esplanade office, in Redcar (01642-471921) or the Station Building, in Saltburn, (01287-622422).