Young people in East Kent will be able to obtain free tickets for productions at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury.

The move has been welcomed by Dover MP Gwyn Prosser who sais he hopes youngsters in the area will take advantage of the scheme.

The initiative was revealed at the Labour Party Conference by Secretary of State Andy Burnham who encouraged theatres to offer free tickets to young people. More than 200 theatres throughout the country are taking part, offering 618,000 free tickets for under 26 year olds over the next two years.

"I have seen how positively young people respond to the theatre, and the Marlowe has a really good reputation for putting on first class productions," said Mr Prosser.

"This scheme will allow young people in Dover and Deal who might ordinarily be unable to visit the theatre or who might never have considered doing so to experience some of these brilliant productions."

The scheme is being supported by Eddie Izzard and Kevin Spacey who have made a video clip to promote it.

"Labour has always believed in making the best in life available to everyone. We all know how a visit to the theatre can be a life-changing experience, and it's incredibly exciting to imagine our theatres full to bursting point with young people.

"Free theatre tickets is a great idea, and especially welcome during these tough financial times. We have a great British theatrical tradition and this scheme allows us to unlock seats that might otherwise have remained empty, giving us good value for money, as well as ensuring we open up theatre to as many people as possible."

Visit www.silverfish.tv/clients/FreeTheatre/Free_Theatre_Tickets_Eddie_and_Kevin.wmv