WANNABE stars could be given a free place on the same performing arts course that helped launch Zoe Birkett and Jamie Bell to fame.

Stagecoach Theatre Arts, in Yarm and Darlington, is running courses in the Easter and summer holidays for anyone who wants to find out more about performing.

Pop Idol runner-up Zoe, from Darlington, and Billingham-born film star Jamie trained at the Stagecoach school.

The holiday workshops are aimed at anyone aged over four and include sessions for tots and adults.

To encourage people to take part in the course, single scholarships for the adult and early years workshops are being offered.

Trudy Hindmarsh, the principal of Stagecoach, said: "We have always said that we can create a better presentation in a week on the workshops than we can in a term with our regular sessions because the students are focused - they have no time to forget and we are not struggling with absenteeism that weekly sessions can bring.

"Our workshops are a lovely mix of our own existing students, children from our waiting lists, and others who are just curious."

The adults workshop, for anyone over 17, is taking place from April 12 to 14, while the early-years and children's sessions will take place in August.

Anyone interested should call (01325) 337667.