A CHILDREN'S theatre has won an award for Best Family Venue.

The Hullabaloo, situated next to The Hippodrome theatre in Darlington, won the award at the Fantastic for Family Awards for its contribution to arts and culture for families over the last year.

The winners of five different categories were announced at an event in Liverpool on Monday February 11.

The awards were given by The Family Arts Campaign, the national initiative funded by Arts Council England to connect families with cultural opportunities.

Hullabaloo was voted for by a panel of judges for the family-friendly events that took place at the venue over the course of 2018.

In the feedback, judges said: "The Hullabaloo has demonstrated excellence across the board with a popular, fully accessible, dedicated venue, strong awareness of diverse needs, and innovative activities.

"Not only does the venue develop its offer in consultation with local partners and communities but the quality of effort to inform and welcome all kinds of families was particularly impressive."

Speaking after the awards, Laura Case, Executive Director at Theatre Hullabaloo, said: “We are delighted to have won Best Family Venue 2019 at the national Fantastic for Families Awards. We knew when we started this journey of creating a venue dedicated to children and their families that it would be special, and to be recognised as the best is great recognition for everyone involved in making it become a reality.

"The venue design, build and overall offer has children and families at its heart. To see it full of children and their grown-ups is the most important thing of all.

"Theatre Hullabaloo strongly believes that creativity should be part of everyone's childhood and the opening of The Hullabaloo has enabled that to become a reality for the thousands of children and families that visit and use the venue. ”

Celebrating its first-year anniversary last December, The Hullabaloo has welcomed over 20,000 children and hosts child-oriented performances, free creative play installations and gives creative opportunities to families.

More information about the theatre can be found at theatrehullabaloo.org.uk