THREE students are about to rub shoulders with the stars after being awarded scholarships for Darlington Civic Theatre's summer season.

Lucy Bradshaw, 21, from Stanhope Road, Darlington, Catherine Harper, 17, from Gilderdale Close, Darlington, and Rebecca Ashton, 18, from Stanhope, were selected by theatre company boss Ian Dickens to join his popular four-play run.

Mr Dickens said: "These three showed the best aptitude at the auditions. They will be working with us in rehearsals and backstage and will be treated the same as the shows' professionals."

First on stage (June 18-22) is J B Priestley's comedy When We Are Married, starring Mary Tamm, David Griffin and Michael Tudor-Barnes.

Next is Alan Ayckbourn's Living Together (June 25-29), followed by Jonathon Morris, Mark Homer and Tony Scannell in the drama Rope (July 2-6). Finally Glenda McKay appears in Willy Russell's comedy One For The Road (July 9-13).

Rebecca, a performing arts student at the College of Technology, said: "I've wanted to be an actor since I was in school productions and I will love the chance of being involved on stage."

Lucy is studying European Theatre Arts at Rose Bruford College, London, and said: "I know it's going to be tough but I want to go on and join a professional company."

Catherine is studying A-levels at Queen Elizabeth College and has been invited to join the Guildford School of Acting. "I'm mainly looking at stage management but I do enjoy acting," she said.