HANNAH Chissick will take over the artistic reins of Harrogate Theatre following the departure of current director Rob Swain in February.

Previously associate director at Derby Playhouse, Ms Chissick has directed a wide variety of plays, from pantomime to David Flare.

Her passion for developing new local writers and younger audiences led to the establishment of new writing festival and several audience development projects aimed at younger people.

Since leaving Derby early in 2001, she has built a successful freelance career. She is currently directing Dick Whittington for Salisbury Playhouse.

Ms Chissick has been involved in theatre since an early age - several generations of her family have been professional performers and producers. She studied drama at Hull University and, after period of directing at fringe venues in London, was selected to take part in the regional young director's scheme funded by the Arts Council of England.

She said: "I feel immensely privileged and proud to have been given this opportunity. My aim is to build on the excellent work already happening at Harrogate by programming the theatre in a way that will please existing audiences at the same time as encouraging new ones.

"Successful regional theatre is all about the community in which it sits and hopefully serves and creating an environment that nourishes the creators and staff as well as the audience.

"I am interested in running a theatre that can become a flagship for exploring new and exciting ways to work on a local, national and, in time, international level. It is my desire that Harrogate audiences experience the best home-grown and touring product available. I believe that, even with the limited resources available in regional theatre today, it is possible to create work that is not only equal to, but the envy of, any other theatre in the country.