A UKRAINIAN teenager is sharpening up her English by taking part in a North-East opera.

Lena Yashenko, from Kiev, will appear in Blaze!, a musical based on Darlington's rail heritage, starting tomorrow at the town's railway museum.

The 16-year-old is staying with her grandmother in Eaglescliffe, Teesside, for the summer and was invited to join the show by a family friend, who is a singing teacher.

The opera, which runs until Saturday, stars Middlesbrough-born soprano Suzannah Clarke.

Also appearing will be more than 100 children from across the Tees Valley.

Assistant director Britta Wray said: "On the first day of rehearsals, Lena took home a CD of the opera and learnt the whole thing straight away.

"She's so hard-working. She's absolutely brilliant."

Lena said: "I love melody and I like the words in the opera.

"I'm really enjoying taking part and everyone has been really friendly.

"It's helped my English a lot."

Tickets for Blaze! are priced from £2.50 to £7 and available on (01325) 486555.

Published: 26/07/2004