THREE young actors, who have achieved stardom while still at school, have been presented with awards by the county council.

The junior section of Chester-le-Street Theatre Group boasts more than its fair share of talent.

Two of its members, Alexander and Dominic Beebe, both 15, play cheeky twins Adam and Luke on BBC1's children's drama Byker Grove.

Meanwhile, Stephen Lawton, 12, from Chester-le-Street, recently secured parts in professional productions of Babe and Whistle Down the Wind.

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

Stephen, who attends St Leonard's Roman Catholic School, in Durham, has been a member for six years while the twins, who go to The Hermitage School, in Chester-le-Street, were bitten by the acting bug nine years ago.

All three still make time to take part in the theatre group's productions.

Julie Dryden said: "Alexander and Dominic have been members 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 at night. But they gave their full commitment."

The three young stars are among the cast in the group's forthcoming pantomime Beauty and the Beast, at Park View Theatre, Chester-le-Street.

It runs from Tuesday, November 26, to Saturday, November 30, at 7.15pm, with a matinee performance on the Saturday at 2.15pm.

Tickets are £5, £4 and £3 and are available on 0191-388 8524.