LOCAL firms are lending their support to a charity opera evening.

Cleveland Accredited Training Centre (CATC) and the Teesside Federation of Small Businesses are sponsoring an American Evening with Opera Nova, taking place tomorrow at Middlesbrough Theatre.

Tickets for the event, in aid of Teesside Hospice, are selling well. People who have still not bought them are being advised to contact the organisers quickly.

John Wright, chief executive of CATC, said: "I genuinely believe more businesses in the Tees Valley should be doing more to support the arts and cultural activities in the area.

"If we are going to increase our young people's awareness of arts and culture, businesses should support events like this."

Later this year, CATC will also sponsor a new arts and culture category in the Best New Business Awards. Mr Wright said: "I hope this shows by example what a small business can do to promote the arts and culture in Tees Valley."

For tickets to the evening, contact Pauline Curtis on (01642) 871155.