A GROUP of children are taking on the might of Hollywood with a stage production of a story that has just gone on general release as a film.

Normanby Primary School, Middlesbrough, teacher Darren Gamble said the clash was no more than a coincidence.

He has adapted Guy Burt's The Hole for ten and 11-year-olds, as their third entry in the Middlesbrough Youth Drama Festival.

Mr Gamble said: "When I adapted the story I had no idea that a film was being made.

"It is such a great story with a fantastic twist that I knew we could do something with it.''

Bobbie Jameson, director of the play, said: "The film version of The Hole is aimed at adults but our version gives the story of five trapped children a different slant. It certainly has been a challenge, but one that our children have risen to with real maturity," he said.

Normanby school has picked up nine awards at the drama festival over the past two years.

The festival, which showcases youth drama productions involving young people aged from nine to 21, runs all this week.