CHILDREN and youngsters are using dance routines and popular music to help them tell a positive tale of life in their town.

Stockton group the Wildcats of Kilkenny are working with about 30 young dancers to create a one-off show.

The youngsters, aged from eight to 18, are part of the Urban Kaos dance school and are working on a performance to be staged at the Arc centre.

Urban Kaos director Amy Walton said: "It is really upbeat music and our young dancers have been bouncing, jumping and throwing each other around. We are starting to get some really good choreography worked out, but it is really different to what we usually do. It is the same with the music. Mike, from the group, is used to doing gigs but he is having to change the pace of the songs and the length to make it fit the dancing and the story.

"It is coming together extremely well and they are really saying something about Stockton."

Songs will include Rain Street and Rainy Night in Soho, by The Pogues, and Irish folk track Mountain Dew. Other songs will include Nellie the Elephant and pop hit Don't Worry, Be Happy.

Mike McGrother, from the Wildcats of Kilkenny, said: "We are really excited to be working with such an energetic group of young people, who reflect the good vibe and passion of Stockton that the Wildcats like to regularly capture."

The show will be staged on Saturday, November 12.

Ticket details have yet to be announced. Go to arc online.co.uk