Budding thespians at Greenhead High School have found there's not time like the present to tread the boards.

Oliver Pates and Rachel Johns, both 15, took part in a five-week drama programme at The Alhambra Theatre in Bradford.

The expressive arts pupils were among 18 students from across the Bradford District selected for the summer stage school.

The Year 11 pupils, who are neighbours in Bylands Avenue, Riddlesden, helped to write and direct a play entitled "Greener Grass" or "There's No Time Like the Present".

The talented pair also performed the roles of Vinnie and Felicity Redgrave in the upbeat play that was staged in The Alhambra's Studio Theatre.

Plans to perform the play in local schools did unfortunately have to be scrapped in light of the recent petrol shortage, although there was still a performance for parents and relations on Friday evening.

Oliver explains: "It all started when the Alhambra's Twisted Yarn theatre group visited the school and performed a show for us.

"They asked for 10 people to audition from our school and myself, Rachel, Shenaz Khaliq and Rifat Maroof got through to the next set of auditions at The Alhambra.

"After the second round of auditions two of us were selected for the five week course in Bradford.

"The play is about someone who doesn't care about life who is then sent back to the 20's, 50's and 70's to visit her great grandmother, grandmother and father.

"With each new meeting the person's character changes and instead of seeing only the bad side all the time she starts to become a more positive person."

Rachel adds: "It was good experience and we met lots of new, like minded people, who are interested in performing arts.

"We did a lot of breathing techniques, practising voice projection and warm ups and were provided with tips on how to get the best from our voices.

"If you want to go on a course like it you have to pay a lot of money so we were grateful for the chance to take part for free." Oliver and Rachel both hope to pursue a career on stage after they have finished their studies.