CHESTER Performs has announced it has made all its children’s tickets free.

Tickets for the MBNA Chester Music Festival, Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre and the Chester Literature Festival are now free for all accompanied under 12s.

Andrew Bentley of Chester Performs is determined that all of the company’s work is as family friendly as possible.

He said: “We have been welcoming families to the open air theatre in huge numbers, so this initiative reduces the price of bringing under 12s.

“It also helps by not penalising families with only one child and who would not previously have been able to buy a family ticket.

“We sell tickets for events at a rate which fairly reflects their value but we would hate to think people may be facing a choice between say expensive babysitting or buying tickets for the kids.

“More importantly though we really want young people to get into real drama, music and literature as soon as possible.

“There is certainly a history in classical music of very low levels of attendance by under 12s and we are seeking to reverse that trend.

“There is something wonderful about that particular experience which is somehow more magical when introduced earlier.

“We genuinely want families to come and we very much hope this helps.”

Along with the three main ticketed festivals, families can also access free under 12s tickets for the company’s new Moonlight Flicks open air cinema, to be launched in July.

Visit www.chesterperforms.com for details.