A THEATRE company which takes productions to some of the most remote parts of the Dales has been awarded £45,000 by the Arts Council. North Country Theatre, based in Richmond, will use the cash to employ a full-time assistant director.

Funding is guaranteed for two years, and North Yorkshire County Council has agreed to give officer time to help train the successful candidate. Interviews are taking place, and it is hoped to have someone in post in September.

Director, Nobby Dimon, said a national advertisement had attracted about 40 applicants from as far away as Australia.

"This is part of attempt by the Arts Council to secure the future of organisations like ours that run very close to the edge," he said. "It is a big development for us in one sense because it means we are not quite operating on the edge of a tightrope all the time."

The company is one of 14 organisations and artists from North Yorkshire to receive money from the Arts Council.

The group takes productions to community venues such as village halls across the North-East and Scotland.

Mr Dimon said "It is with a great sense of achievement that we accept this money because we started as a very small operation here in Richmond. I believe small companies such as this are the unsung bread and butter of community theatre. The money will allow us to consolidate and it secures our future."

Other organisations to benefit in the latest round of grants include the Middleham Key Centre, which received £3,525 to bring in a professional artist and drama worker to help children prepare for a medieval procession through the town.

Bedale landscape painter Sue Lawson received £3,051 to buy computer equipment and employ a web site designer.

Other North Yorkshire recipients included textile artist Caroline Dunn, of Leyburn, £765.