YOUNG popstar wannabees have been learning the tricks of the trade at a special rock school.

Twenty youngsters aged between ten and 16 have been learning about creating the perfect song at the rock school at Greenfield Community Arts College, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

The project is the brainchild of Stuart Ellerton and Steve McGarvie, peripatetic music teachers working for the County Durham Music Support Service.

Usually they travel to schools across the county during term time giving short music classes, but they were asked by out-of-school funding organisation, NOF, to come up with something different for summer.

They spent six months planning the week-long rock school, which has proved so popular they are now looking at taking it to schools across the region.

Stuart said the idea was for youngsters to learn about composing music they are interested in, to give them the skills and knowledge to write and record their own songs.

He said: "We have been exploring the emotions behind the music, as well as doing basic rhythmic exercises, singing, learning chords and riffs, as well as drum grooves.

"At the end of the week, they will be recording their own songs in the studio at the school with a recording technician.

"Some are coming up with angry punk songs, others nice romantic ballads, and there's some funk, too. It's all stuff the kids can relate to."

* For more music news, visit www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/revolution