OUR region is perceived, rightly or wrongly, as a cultural desert.

The closure of the Arc complex in Stockton, after only two years, perhaps helped confirm that perception.

The troubles in which the Gala Theatre in Durham finds itself, after only four months, will make it even more difficult for the region to shake off that image.

However, we must keep faith with the concept of the Gala.

It is a magnificent facility. Its location, in an historic city attracting tens of thousands of tourists every year, and at the very heart of the North-East, is ideal.

While it is a matter of grave concern that things have gone so spectacularly wrong in such a short space of time, the Gala still has the potential to flourish into the venue the region needs and deserves.

We were reassured that lessons had been learned from the failure of the Arc. The Gala audience would be provided with what it wants, we were told.

If that fundamental objective had been met, the theatre would not have been in difficulties today.

To survive and succeed, the Gala has to offer what people want to see, at a price they can afford.

A poor example

TEN days ago, in turning down the chance of a big pay day for himself so he could raise £1m for children's charities, Niall Quinn showed himself as an outstanding ambassador for his profession.

It is a pity some of that quality has not rubbed off on his countryman, Roy Keane.

Leading out your country in the World Cup Finals should be the greatest honour a professional footballer can achieve.

In being prepared to put that moment of history at risk, Keane is showing how £52,000-a-week and all the trappings of luxury have lured him away from appreciating his good fortune in being blessed with an ability to play football at the highest level.

In ordering their best player to pack his bags, the Irish management team is to be congratulated for demonstrating that no one player is bigger than the team