A MUSIC school in Darlington to nurture the talented stars of the future had a successful opening weekend.

Stuie Ellerton, who had the idea of setting up the Northern School of Contemporary Music (NSCM), said he was astonished with the positive response he received from the public.

"We had a steady flow of people coming in on Saturday and Sunday and they were absolutely bowled over with what we have to offer," he said.

Mr Ellerton opened the school at The Forum music centre, in Borough Road, to provide training facilities for students who want to take their music to a professional level.

The centre was opened this year by owner Dave Cox to address a lack of facilities for musicians.

Mr Ellerton said the school had employed some of the country's finest tutors in instrumental, vocal and song-writing fields.

"There has been a whole host of workshops on this weekend and we already have 70 students signed up," he said.

"The Forum has 1,100 members to date and I'm positive that the school will grow as the centre does. It has excellent facilities that musicians just cannot access anywhere else in this area. There are rehearsal rooms, recording studios and a live auditorium with licensed bar."

Anyone wanting to find out more about the NSCM can visit The Forum or contact Mr Ellerton on 07973 736964.