THE massive boost in funding for North-East theatre announced on Thursday has been greeted with delight by the organisations entertaining the region's young people.

The Children's Theatre Company (CTC), based at Darlington Arts Centre, heard it was getting more than double its Arts Council backing from next year as part of the £25m increase being handed out across Britain.

CTC's grant goes from £50,000 to £105,000. Artistic director Paul Harman said: "Our future is secure for the next three years and now Darlington Arts Centre is one of the two top venues in the country in terms of theatre innovation."

The centre's grant goes up from £74,000 to £94,180 in 2002 and up to £104,723 in 2003. Head of Darlington Arts Peter Cutchie, who is chairman of Northern Arts Drama Review, said: "This is a great day for theatre in the North."

CTC annually produces three new plays and gives about 200 performances to more than 20,000 children and young people, mainly in Tees Valley schools.

The boost in funding for Darlington and cutting edge theatre across the North-East and Northumberland has come at a time when low pay and cost-cutting were causing concerns. Now 100 jobs will be created through £1.7m of extra grants for theatre companies, venues and touring plus 200 jobs remaining secure.

Andrew Dixon, chief executive of Northern Arts, who put together the North-East's funding bid, said: "Whilst many regional theatres have been in crisis, the North's bid was based on a story of success."