A 13-YEAR-OLD Worcester schoolgirl has urged city councillors not to let the Swan Theatre close. Fern Bradburn, who has been involved in youth productions organised by the venue, addressed a meeting of the full council before a heated debate on its future.

"Belonging to the Swan has taught me many skills. It also built up my self confidence - without it I doubt whether I could have given this speech before you today," she said.

Fern, a pupil at Dyson Perrins CE High School, has taken part in performances at Worcester Cathedral and in the foyer at the Swan with the youth drama group.

The budding actress, who lives on Northwick Road, was also involved in the Century Plays, and told councillors they had enabled her to come into contact with people, including professional actors, she would otherwise not have met.

Barbara Seers, who played the Runcible Spoon in a recent production of The Owl and The Pussycat at the Swan, also addressed the meeting, telling councillors about some of the children she had met while collecting signatures for a petition to save the Swan.

"Two little girls called Hannah and Leah told me they were very worried that the theatre was going to be closed and asked if they could sign the petition as well as their parents," she said.

"Later, an eight-year-old boy, said he was concerned that he might not be able to see Pinocchio at Christmas."