THREE young actors who have achieved stardom despite still being at school have received achievement awards from the county council.

Chester-le-Street Theatre group junior section boasts more than its fair share of stars in its ranks.

Alexander and Dominic Beebe, both 15, play cheeky twins Adam and Luke in the children's BBC drama Byker Grove. While another member of the group, Stephen Lawton, 12, from Chester-le-Street, recently secured parts in professional productions of Babe and Whistle Down the Wind.

All three of them been presented with Young Achievers Awards from Durham County Council for outstanding personal achievement, after being nominated by directors of the group Julie Dryden and Bill Stephenson.

Stephen, who attends St Leonard's RC School in Durham, has been with the group for six years, while the twins, who go to the Hermitage School in Chester-le-Street, became bitten by the acting bug when they joined the youth group nine years ago. All three of them still make time to take part in the theatre group's productions.

Julie Dryden said: "Alexander and Dominic have been with the group since they were six and they've told me they're going to be there until they're 18.

"We have to sometimes rearrange things around their filming schedule, but we always manage. Earlier this year the boys were filming for Byker Grove during the day and then rushed to appear in our show during the night."

All three young actors are taking part in the group's forthcoming pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, at Park View Theatre, Chester-le-Street. It runs from Tuesday, November 26 until Saturday, November 30, at 7.15pm, with a matinee performance on Saturday, at 2.15pm.

Tickets are priced £5, £4 and £3 and are available by calling (0191) 3888524.