YORK Theatre Royal has become the first Yorkshire theatre to be awarded the Investors In People standard.

The theatre has achieved the national standard for improving business performance through its people; an award only given to those organisations that can demonstrate good management practices and a genuine commitment to staff training and development.

The York Theatre Royal joins 55,000 organisations in the UK that have been presented with the accolade.

However, the theatre is only one of a handful of theatres in the UK to receive the prestigious award and the only one in Yorkshire.

Chief executive Dan Bates said: "York Theatre Royal is delighted that it has won recognition with Investors in People. The key to the theatre's success is its fantastic staff, who are the building's most important asset. In the last two years the staff have worked extremely hard to improve communications and promote good practice.

"It has very much been a team effort across the organisation which we will continue to develop in the years to come."

Simon Jones, acting chief executive officer of Investors In People, said: "This is a fantastic achievement by York Theatre Royal and it goes to show that working with Investors In People can benefit organisations of all sizes and sectors.

"The Investors In People standard is practical, flexible and easy to use and we hope that more organisations in the area will be encouraged to work with us to help them get the best from their people.

"Our continuing aim is to help employers across the UK to develop their businesses by making the most of their most valuable asset - their people."

York Theatre Royal has been producing and performing for over 250 years in the heart of the city and offers a variety of drama, comedy, live music to its thousands of visitors.