DARLINGTON residents have been encouraged to show their passion for the town's Civic Theatre using #lovecivic on social media.

The project was organised by touring company Theatre Cloud, which recently brought Pat Barker’s novel Regeneration to the stage for a four-day run.

Darlington College’s student journalists took to the streets to get residents’ thoughts on their town’s theatre, as part of a project on the play.

Lauren Wilson and Abbi Hawkes, from Darlington, said: “It was a huge part of our childhoods, especially during pantomime season and the build up to Christmas”

Regular theatregoer Daniel Copeland, from Darlington’s Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, was looking forward to attending a performance of Regeneration.

The #lovecivic campaign forms one part of a Theatre Cloud project encouraging people to show their support for their local theatre as the play tours around the country.

A spokesman for Theatre Cloud said: “Darlington Civic Theatre is a beautiful Edwardian theatre in the heart of the town.

"It has touched generations of theatregoers with national tours, pantomimes and variety and by supporting many local amateur arts groups to bring their work to packed houses."