A NEW music and drama club has been launched to allow young people to learn about performing arts.

Bishop Auckland Youth Theatre is open to eight to 18-year-olds and will be held at Bishop Barrington School, Bishop Auckland, every Thursday, between 4pm and 5.30pm.

Members will take part in music, dance and drama workshops, work with Backscratch Theatre Company and work towards a production of Bugsy Malone in the summer.

There are also plans being put in place for trips to London and possibly New York.

Organiser Kayleigh Broom said: “It is proving really popular already so if anyone is interested just turn up on a Thursday and join in.

“We want to give people an opportunity to get involved in performing arts, which they might not have had before.”

• A banner advertising Bishop Auckland Youth Theatre was stolen from the fence outside Bishop Barrington School, Woodhouse Lane. Anyone with any information on its whereabouts is asked to call 01388-603307.