YOUNG, talented musicians have been making a big noise in Darlington this week.

The Forum music centre, in Borough Road, has played host to a group of 14 drummers taking part in a week-long course.

The players, aged between 12 and 15, are members of The Northern School of Contemporary Music, which runs its classes from The Forum.

Throughout this week, the youngsters have been learning new skills and each drummer will be presented with a certificate today for successfully completing the course.

School director Stuie Ellerton said: "The week has been very enjoyable - and noisy. The drummers have got a great deal out of it and have had fun too.

"The musicians in this class already had some drumming experience, so they were not starting from scratch, but developing their skills.

"It has been a great success."

The week was organised to help to promote live music for young people and also to keep them occupied during the school summer holidays.

"Shows like Pop Idol seriously damaged the music business in the eyes of young people," said Mr Ellerton.

"Programmes like this showed untalented people being thrown into the limelight and being exploited, before being dumped by their companies.

"Our school is trying to promote the importance of live music."

Another drumming course is being held later in the summer holidays and Mr Ellerton is welcoming more people to sign up for the week.

To find out more, or to book a place, call Mr Ellerton on (01325) 389970 or 07973 736964.