CTC THEATRE, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, has been invited to tour its latest play for children in the Far East.

Formerly known as Cleveland Theatre Company, it was founded in November, 1979, by Tom Spencer to tour small-scale plays to schools and venues in Cleveland.

Alasdair Ramsay then built up a strong reputation for larger-scale classic productions and outdoor shows in Saltburn Valley Gardens and Preston Park, Stockton.

In 1993, Paul Harman took over as artistic director of the company and dedicated it to work for children and young people. Since 1999, CTC has been resident at Darlington Arts Centre in space first provided for Durham Theatre Company.

In July next year, it will tour Leonardo, a celebration of Leonardo Da Vinci's genius as an engineer, to Seoul, Okinawa, Taipei, Shanghai and possibly cities in Japan.

The show, for children aged nine to 12, features the construction of a large working machine, based on da Vinci's engineering drawings.

Said Mr Harman: "In the last two years, CTC's shows for children and young people have been enjoyed in Singapore, Canada, Austria, Germany and Spain, as well as by hundreds of schools in the North-East. "We inherited the legacy of two fine companies and we dedicate this tour to their achievements. I hope we can show, by our success at home and overseas, that we have honoured the best traditions of professional theatre for everyone."

In March this year, CTC Theatre brought nearly every three-year-old in Darlington to the arts centre to take part in The Sleeping Garden, a dance theatre event.