DURING their ten-year history, Bishop Auckland Theatre Hooligans (Bath) have performed to some princely audiences - but none more so than Prince Edward.

On Friday, The Earl of Wessex visited King James I Community Arts College, the school where the renowned youth drama group is based, to watch a performance of their play, The Pitheaps.

They may have played to bigger crowds, with several of their annual shows being so popular that extra dates were added, but the chance to perform in front of a guest as distinguished as the Earl, well-known for his interest in the theatre, was a real treat.

Hooligans by name but not by nature, the group instead tackle hard-hitting subjects like anti-social behaviour, domestic violence, drugs and teenage pregnancy.

They are regularly asked by police and community groups to create videos and have taken their messages abroad.

And now they have been given the royal seal of approval - not bad for a group of angry young people who got together a decade ago almost by accident.

The group was founded by Steven Elliott, who was born in Bishop Auckland but was trained in drama in Norway.

He said: "I came back to do community work and the school asked me to start up a theatre group. I wasn't too keen on the idea, but I thought 'well, I'll give it a go'.

"I went into assembly at King James and hated every moment of it - but 20-odd kids turned up. The school had done musicals but nothing specifically drama, but there's such a big difference."

The group got its name from the Bishop Auckland Soccer Hooligans, who were prominent in the town at that time. Mr Elliott said: "They wanted to take the mick out of that name and turn it into something positive."

Their first play in 1996 was called Our Town, but before long the group, was making a name for itself far beyond Bishop Auckland.

Actors are known for their globetrotting trips around the world and, over the years, the Hooligans have been to Italy, Hungary, the Arctic Circle, Brazil, and Norway, and are about to embark upon their sixth trip to Ireland.

Mr Elliott said: "The trips have to have a purpose. They are not just trips, it opens their minds to something else, lets them know there's another world out there than Bishop Auckland. When you have the possibility of doing something like this, it's an experience you never forget."

The visit to the slums of Rio saw the group visit community projects in the city's favelas, where violence at the hands of drug gangs is commonplace, and inspired an exhibition and video.

That visit is one of Mr Elliott's Bath highlights, alongside a recent tenth anniversary awards night which saw more than 200 past and present members attend, and of course the presentation of The Pitheaps to Prince Edward.

"It's about Tindale Crescent pit heap," said Mr Elliott. "It is our signature show. The main issues are teenage pregnancy and domestic violence.

"I think it's a boost for the group. It's really good recognition for Bath, an opportunity that gives them the chance to show how they have made a difference in their community."

The lead role was played by 11-year-old Keegan Dixon, from Crook, who said: "I was nervous before, but once I got on it was okay - especially when I saw Prince Edward laugh."

The group have made many others laugh over the past ten years, but just as importantly, they have made people think.