BRADFORD theatre company Mind the Gap is launching a programme of shows for young audiences.

From this month, the Manningham-based organisation, which provides training and performing opportunities for actors with disabilities, welcomes a host of other theatre companies making exciting children''s productions. Every month until June, there will be an afternoon of entertainment for youngsters and their families at the MTG Studios at the Silk Warehouse, Lister Mills.

"This new initiative means families in Bradford have chance to see some of the best children’s shows at Mind the Gap’s fully accessible theatre space," says an MGT spokesman. "It's perfect for under-eights. Expect some stories that children will already know - and others that are brand new."

The programme - funded through Arts Council England’s Grants for the Arts and delivered in partnership with local producer Ben Rothera - started today with a schools preview performance. Tomorrow sees a public performance of much-loved fairy tale The Ugly Duckling. Presented by Sea Legs Puppet Theatre, the show is set on a magical river bank and features music, puppets and, of course, a happy ending as the plucky hero surprises his farmyard friends.

The show starts at 1pm, but families are invited along from 12noon, with a packed lunch, and can join in with free arts and craft activities provided by Bradford’s Artworks.

The season continues on February 17 and 18 with Wrongsemble Theatre's show Three - a whistle-stop tour through three classic children’s stories. Three wishes, three pigs, three bears... Ever noticed how many times in fairytales the number three pops up? With live music and plenty of interactive fun, the lively show races through tales such as Goldilocks and Rumplestiltskin.

Also coming up is The Adventures of Walter Lemonface by 154 Collective on March 24 and 25. Ever wanted to control what happens in a cartoon? Now you can in this fun-filled family show, where there’s no such thing as too much joining in. Join adventurer, fearless inventor and connoisseur of carrots Walter Lemonface as he hunts for Rhubarb Ogres, battles ghosts and finds a new adventure around every corner.

Dough! by Olivia Furber and Creative Scene, on April 11 and 12, explores how life can be filled with colour and beauty when we "step outside the beige world". Franky is in a very doughy mess. Unable to resolve the chaos in her kitchen, she makes a journey to an unfamiliar place to get help, a place where everything tastes, smells and feels different. Fantastic things can happen with ordinary stuff - and what could be more ordinary than the dough that makes everyday staples in all cultures; the loaves, naan bread, croissants, dumplings and chapattis that remind us of home.

One Little Word by M6 Theatre on May 19 and 20, is a story of friendship and play in which two characters explore a new space and new objects, dressing up and taking turns. Struggles arise when one of them wants to be the only captain of the ship. Told with music - and just one spoken word.

On June 23 and 24 Jack Dean presents Horace and the Yetti, following an intrepid Victorian adventurer on a trek across the Himalayas, on a mission to find one of the legendary Abominable Snowmen. Things change when Horace actually meets the Yeti, who turns out to be far from Abominable.

* Tickets for all shows are on (01274) 487390 or mind-the-gap.org.uk/mtg-studios