WOULD-BE North-East popstars are being offered places at a Fame Academy-style summer school.

The ID Programme, run by Genius Entertainment, will give performers and musicians the chance to develop their talents and music industry knowledge.

The free course will begin in Stanley, County Durham, in July and run through the school summer holidays.

The students will have the opportunity to record a demo, be the subject of a photoshoot, develop a website and perform live in concert. They will also take part in workshops covering all aspects of the music industry.

It aims to build on the success of the talentSTAR project, which set out to find potential stars in the region's schools.

By June this year, the tour will have visited 40 North-East schools and colleges, with the acts taking part performing to more than 20,000 people.

Adam Chetter, of Genius, said: "The schools tour helped us identify the talent that was out there. Now, we actually have to develop it."

To take part, call (08707) 442258

Published: 04/03/2004