CHILDREN from a city stage school are gearing up to perform their third production in a professional theatre.

Durham Stage School is putting the finishing touches to its version of The Demon Headmaster, a musical based on the popular children's TV series, which was derived from a book of the same name.

The production, which has a cast and crew of about 60 youngsters aged from six to 16, takes place at Durham's Gala Theatre, at the weekend.

The show follows the school's successful staging at the theatre of Rats and Bugsy Malone in previous years.

Elissa Hudson, who runs the stage school with her husband John, said: "The show features a very scary headmaster who has a strong hold over all the children except for one class.

"They are the worst class in the world and set out to defeat him."

The Demon Headmaster will be performed on Saturday and Sunday, at 2pm and 7pm each day.

Tickets cost £8, or £7 for concessions, and there are discounts for groups of ten and more. For details contact the theatre box office, on 0191-332 4041.