AUDIENCE figures for the arts in the North-East are increasing, according to new figures.

The Arts Council has published the results of a major five-year research project, The New Audiences Programme, backed by £20m from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

In the North-East, £1.3m has been invested in 104 projects which used creative ways to attract new audiences. They attracted a collective audience of more than 330,000 people.

Mark Robinson, director of arts and development at Arts Council England, North East, said: "The impact of The New Audiences Programme is significant proof that an imaginative approach can break down the barriers and allow more and more people to enjoy the arts.

"In the North-East we have seen some successful innovations with schemes to help build confidence for first-time art-goers, to transport and family-friendly initiatives, as well as hugely ambitious projects using the very latest in technology."

A total of £59,000 was invested into rural projects, such as the North Pennine Highlights, which involved attracting 17 to 25-year-olds in isolated areas to dance workshops in their village halls.

Nearly £20,000 was spent targeting older people and addressing problems such as lack of transport, cost and having no one to go with.

Tyneside Cinema, Age Concern, University of the Third Age, and Proctor and Gamble's Retired Staff Association teamed up to develop Silverscreen, an initiative to encourage retired people to attend cultural cinema.

Equal Arts, an organisation specialising in work with older people, set up Getting There, a subsidised taxi service to enable Gateshead residents over 60 to travel to arts venues.

And £173,000 went to projects involving young people, such as the Arts Ambassadors scheme at The Laing Art Gallery, where 28 youth groups were introduced to the gallery experience through tailor-made visits.