"TONIGHT, Matthew, I'm going to be Louis Armstrong!"

Those were the words of Stockton Sixth Form College principal Martin Clinton as he took to the stage as the legendary jazz singer in a Stars in Their Eyes show at the college last night.

Mr Clinton bravely stepped into the spotlight along with several pupils for the show - based on the famous television programme - and transformed themselves into top singers.

"It will be a bit daunting but I will just have to conquer stage nerves," said Mr Clinton before the show, which was compered by teacher Martin Youngman.

It was organised by a group of students who formed their own promotions company, Forza Event Management.

Eighteen-year-old Richard Holt heads the 12-man group, which previously organised a Battle of the Bands contest, a quiz and a five-a-side football competition at the school.

Steve Earnshaw, the school's head of business studies, praised the students. "They have done their research, marketing and publicising of events with a huge amount of success. When the project comes to an end at the end of the year, the 20 or so shareholders stand to make a few hundred pounds between them, which is excellent."