Budding young stars of stage and screen in Denholme will soon have the chance to tread the boards.

L'Arabesque Stage School is setting up weekly classes in the village's Mechanics Institute.

The news has been welcomed by villagers and town councillors who were sad to see Denholme's previous performing arts school, Footsteps, close down its branch in the village recently .

Teacher Kathryn Ford, who already runs classes in neighbouring Thornton, says: "We are part of Bradford Theatre Arts and Denholme will be the fifth branch we have opened.

"Not all the children in Denholme can travel into Bradford to attend a stage school so it is the perfect opportunity for me and for children in the village.

"I will be teaching ballet, tap and modern jazz to all in performing including speech and drama.

"We will start with some basic classes and hopefully build it up from there."

Denholme town mayor councillor Anne Jay said: "We desperately need things like this for the children and whatever amenities we can get back in to the village should be welcomed."

Enrolment will take place on Thursday and every Thursday there will be a nursery class from 4pm, performing arts for five to eight-year-olds from 4.30pm, speech and drama from 5.15pm and performing arts for nines and over from 5.45pm.

For more information contact Kathryn Ford on 0772 0772820 or Charlotte May on 07932 458077.