A theatre group has received an award for its work offstage.

Tynegate Theatre Group has been awarded a digital camera for its website, built through The Northern Echo's CommuniGate community website service.

The website was started by Tynegate group member Diane Bowman because "no-one else would do one".

Ms Bowman has been a member of the group since 1990, and will take on the role of Jane in the group's next production, Disco Inferno, in July, at the Little Theatre, Gateshead.

Full details and booking information are available from www.tynegate.co.uk

Community web editor Karen Maughan said she chose Tynegate's website for the award because it provides a useful resource for the group's members, publicises current and future productions, and gives an insight into the group for any prospective members. She said: "Diane has clearly put a great deal of thought into the content of the website, and it has really paid off - it is a great site."

Tynegate Theatre group have received a Praktica DC21 digital camera, courtesy of Pick of the Month sponsor Sales and Marketing Direct Limited.

The CommuniGate service is available to anyone who is part of a non-profit group who wants to build a website.

Full training can be given by the CommuniGate team in their converted IT minibus.

The CommuniGate bus is sponsored by Barclays, and the team also uses it to run regular website workshops at locations throughout the region.

The bus has seating areas with tables and laptop computers with Internet connections, supplied by communications partner Orange.