ACTORS have brought two Shakespeare plays to life for students at a Bishop Auckland school.

Arty-Fact Theatre Company performed an abridged version of The Tempest, which two classes of students at Bishop Barrington College are studying.

The company returned to school last week to give a performance of Much Ado About Nothing, which another class of students is studying.

Simon Stansfield, head of English, said: "The students enjoyed the performances, which helped in their understanding of the key themes and characters."