VILLAGE youngsters will have the chance to join a new theatre company set up especially for them.

Local man, Bill Wilkinson, and other organisers are still in the process of establishing the Shoestring Theatre Company for six to 16-year-olds at Dipton in Derwentside.

But they have already been inundated by requests to join what will be a theatre group with a difference.

Mr Wilkinson, 39, who has been involved in theatre work for more than 20 years, aims to provide more for the children than just giving them the chance to act.

He said: "We want to get away from just holding show after show, although we will of course put on a number of them. We want to get them involved in theatre craft, the behind-the-scenes work, which makes a show be more effective. We will also work on methods of acting and teach them how to breathe and how to project themselves properly and even look at how to work effectively on TV.

"We'll have workshops and improvisation and it would also be nice to take them out to the Theatre Royal in Newcastle or even to Stratford. Most of all it will be good fun and it often gives them a bit of self-confidence.

"I've had the shyest of kids coming in when I worked in youth theatre in Chester-le-Street. A few weeks later and their parents can't believe it's the same child when they see them on stage full of confidence."

Mr Wilkinson and the team will only have room for about 25 to 30 youngsters, although ten have tracked him down him out already.

A special day for interested children will be held at Dipton Community Centre this Saturday. Boys are particularly encouraged to come forward. Membership will be £1 each session and £5 for a year.

Anyone interested in attending should call Mr Wilkinson on (01207) 570988.