TALENTED students at Kidderminster College are taking to the road in a double bid to entertain the public and complete their coursework.

The performing arts students are taking part in this year's Worcestershire Theatre Festival and will be on show across the county.

The piece, entitled The Ways of Weardale Woods, has been devised and written by five students on the Performing Arts Theatre in Education course and is particularly significant as this is the final year the course will run at the college.

Based on an old myth, the story tells the tale of Holly, a young girl who is kidnapped by some spiteful spirits who live in the woods.

The audience can watch as her step-father's quest to rescue her takes several unexpected twists and turns.

Jo Orsler, who plays Earth, said: "We began rehearsing in November last year and are hoping our performance will be a great success.

"It forms part of our coursework and even though our schools tour is part of the theatre festival, we are not entering competitively and so won't be being judged on entering the second round in April."

The other students involved are Simon Boast who plays Fire, Tamara Carse as Holly and Alex Greaves as Water.

The five will be at Franche First School, Kidderminster, on Monday, Catshill First School, Bromsgrove, on Tuesday and Wolverley Sebright First School on Wednesday.

Next Thursday they will produce their actual festival performance at the Norbury Theatre in Droitwich, which is also the venue for Wyre Forest group Acting for Charity Theatre's production of Round and Round the Gooseberry Bush the following night.

Both performances begin at 7.30pm and tickets are available by calling 01905 770154.