MUSICIANS at Darlington College of Technology are getting ready to take their music across the Channel.

Seventeen musicians, three budding actors and three technical crew will embark on a four-day French tour around Darlington's twin town of Amiens on March 13.

The annual college trip will take the first-year BTEC National Diploma in rock and pop students to perform at a variety of venues.

Ahead of the trip, the musicians will also perform at a number of schools in Darlington.

Tutor Andrew Meadowcroft said: "The tour will provide invaluable work experience.

"The students will perform 12 gigs in three weeks, which is as near as you can come to performing on tour for real."

Toby Fisher, 17, of Reeth, said: "The second year students wrote the original material and we have been developing and expanding it. It is really coming together very well."

Audiences will also be treated to a mask-based drama by performing arts students.