TEENAGERS are being offered the chance to break their way into the music industry with a new free school for DJs.

The teachers organising the academy for 13 to 18-year-olds, in Consett, hope their qualifications into the art of the club DJ will eventually receive Government accreditation.

"We have had more than 20 youngsters interested already and we have not even started yet," said academy organiser and club DJ of 12 years Mark Hardy.

"We have just opened a record shop but also wanted to give something back to the youth of the area, give them something interesting to do.

"The equipment of a DJ can be quite expensive so we thought this might give them an idea of what they are doing before they, or their parents, lay out any cash."

The six-week course for youngsters will be held on Monday nights at the Red Hot Records shop in Wesley Street, Consett, which is due to open on Saturday.

The course will be taught by Mr Hardy and his business partner Iain Burns. The shop will sell mainly dance records.

There will be a dance night at the Royal Derwent Hotel, supported by DJs, next Sunday, to launch the new store.