A THEATRE group has won a £4,000 grant to help it stage a locally-inspired production.

Northern Arts has awarded the sum to the Durham theatre company Jack Drum Arts for Jim Woodland's play, The Arch.

Set in 18th Century Britain, it tells the story of Ralph Wood, a local stonemason who was commissioned to build Causey Arch, in County Durham.

The production will tour rural venues, then visit local schools and arts based community centres, with an education programme involving hands-on workshops for secondary schools.

Martin Weston, of Derwentside District Council, has commissioned the play to open at Stanley Civic Theatre, on October 11.

Paddy Burton, of Jack Drum Arts, said: "We are delighted to have received this grant from Northern Arts, which will help us to continue a tradition of producing high quality small scale theatre for the region, based on the stories of our home county."

Anna Summerford, of Northern Arts, said: "Northern Arts is committed to ensuring that quality theatre is seen by the widest range of people.

"Jack Drum's play about The Causey Arch will be performed throughout the region in a range of venues not traditionally used to present theatre."