A SIXTH-FORM student is making his directorial debut after his drama teacher went on maternity leave.

Nathan Greener, 18, an upper sixth-former at Teesdale Comprehensive School, in Barnard Castle, has taken over the reins of the school's production of Little Shop of Horrors.

Nathan, who is taking theatre studies A-level, was asked to direct the play, which has a cast of 40 people, when head of drama Liz Moss went on maternity leave.

The school's head of performing arts, David Ferrari, said: "Nathan's always played a significant part in the drama at school and played many lead roles. When Liz went off, rather than not do a show, we decided to offer him the opportunity to direct and he's done an absolutely brilliant job.

"He's been absolutely brilliant to work with, and the show's got a really youthful slant to it. It's the first time the school has ever had one of the students direct a school production and it's looking really good."

The musical, which became a hit film, is about a florist who buys a man-eating plant.

The show runs for three nights from Wednesday, November 30, to Friday, December 2, at 7.30pm. Tickets for the show go on sale from Monday, priced at £5 for adults and £3 for concessions, and are available from the school on (01833) 638166.