THIS week people across the globe celebrated World Theatre Day.

This is a UNESCO Heritage day which acknowledges all aspects of theatre.

The aim is to promote theatre in all its forms across the world and to impress on governments, politicians and institutions the financial and cultural importance of theatre.

Since 1962 World Theatre Day has been celebrated by ITI Centres, ITI Cooperating Members, theatre professionals, theatre organizations, theatre universities and theatre lovers all over the world on March 27.

This day is a celebration for those who can see the value and importance of the art form theatre, and acts as a wake-up-call for governments, politicians and institutions which have not yet recognised its value to the people and to the individual and have not yet realised its potential for economic growth.

Each year an outstanding figure in theatre or a person outstanding in heart and spirit from another field is invited to share his or her reflections on theatre.

What is known as the International Message is translated into more than 50 languages, read for tens of thousands of spectators before performances in theatres throughout the world, and printed in hundreds of daily newspapers.

These photos show how theatre has impacted the people of Cumbria, we can see children being entertained by a theatre group in Carlisle Library, Carlisle Fringe in 2017, American singer Gene Pitney signing autographs at a theatre in Carlisle and a group of children at Harraby Community Theatre.

The other photos show a Blunderbus Theatre production of Dotty the Dragon at Rheged in Penrith.