A NEW series of arts events hits the road in County Durham soon.

The Elements Touring Scheme has put together six comedy, theatre, puppetry, dance and children's shows which will give 16 performances at small venues across the region.

The tour kicks off with the Paper Boat Show, at The Store, Dipton, at 8pm on October 24, and at The Church Hall, at Hutton Henry, at 7.30pm on October 25.

The show chronicles the days Perrier Newcomer Award nominee Tim FitzHigham spent rowing down the Thames in a paper boat, recalling the hilarity of his record-breaking journey.

Tim broke a 383-year-old world record by rowing the 160-mile length of the river in eight days, raising more than £10,000 for Comic Relief.

Touring company Yellow Belly takes Flawed Genius to Greenfield Community and Arts Centre on November 4, and Dipton on November 5, while Quondam Theatre Company stages Black Diamonds at Dipton on November 8.

Appalachian Roots is at the Riverside, Chester-le-Street, on November 22, and Trimdon Village Hall on November 23.

The Elements Touring Scheme brings professional touring theatres to small venues across County Durham and is financially supported by Durham County Council, the Arts Council England and the district councils of Chester-le-Street, Derwentside, Easington, Teesdale, Wear Valley and Sedgefield.

It is part of a wider Elements initiative which runs a varied programme to give people the chance to take part in and watch high-quality arts events.