Pupils of Harlequin Stage School, in Yarm, have had a busy summer.

A recent concert by youngsters from the school raised £650 for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

Five of the senior students, Donna Nicholls, Jodie Hall, Heather Springett, Abbey Hingley and Beth Jones, spent the summer at Lightwater Valley, near Ripon, performing as "Valligators". They will continue to do so at weekends, until half-term.

The school was asked to join a Disney character parade at EuroDisney, while Sunderland Empire has asked the younger students to audition for roles as the children in the musical The King and I.

The school, in West Street, Yarm, caters for all ages, from the age of two, and has classes in ballet, modern, stage, tap and disco dancing as well as cheerleading and theatre craft.

Principal, Barbara-Anne Lloyd-Wallis has a new class for this term called Mini Movers and Groovers for three to five-year-olds. For details, call (01642) 789045.