Derwentside is to become a blaze of colour, drama, music and dance with two major arts events in the next few weeks.

Take Off 2000, England's only annual celebration of professional theatre for children and young people, comes to north County Durham between October 17 and 20.

The festival will involve 18 regionally and nationally-known theatre companies putting on shows at several venues, including Consett's Empire Theatre, Consett and Stanley civic halls, six schools and a youth centre.

With theatre groups from as far afield as New Zealand, Germany and France taking part, the festival is expected to be seen by nearly 3,000 children from Derwentside schools, 100 adult delegates and about 50 local actors, directors and stage managers.

Development officer for leisure at Derwentside District Council, Sue Fox, said Take Off 2000 will be one of the biggest events of its kind in the North-East.

She said: "It is the first time this festival has ever come to Derwentside and it should be very exciting for the area.

"Practically all the accommodation in the area has gone and the sheer quality of acts on show should act as a great boost to the local artists.

"We expect the festival to bring thousands of pounds into the local economy and help to raise the profile of the district."

As a taster for this multi-cultural celebration, the district is hosting a unique dance experience featuring blind Indians.

Members of Natyanjali, a dance company from Bangalore, have already flown into the North-East and are planning a hectic programme of visits to schools and community groups over the next two months.

Martin Weston, Derwentside's arts development officer, said the dance troupe is likely to cause a sensation.

He said: "Having undergone extensive training, and through sheer perseverance and the determination of both trainer and students, the company has managed to achieve almost the impossible - a series of comprehensive routines using all of the senses of sound, smell and touch.

"They present a positive image of the ability of the disabled to overcome adversity and achieve success."

As well as support from Northern Rock and Northern Arts, the visit was organised by Derwentside leisure services, The Forge arts education agency for Durham and Kalapremi (UK) - a charity that promotes Asian and Eastern culture in the North-East.

For more details of performances by Natyanjali, including a show at Stanley Civic Hall on Saturday, September 30, contact (01207) 218431