AFTER 17 years aboard the Stagecoach, theatre school principal Ann-Marie White has opened a new Friday class for younger children at Kendal Town Hall.

"The local talent we have is second to none," Ann-Marie told Arts, "and many of the children around Kendal and the Lakes want the benefits of Stagecoach training in acting, dancing and singing, but cannot commit to our Saturday classes.

"Those in the hospitality industry, for example, are often just too busy at the weekends and we have therefore decided to launch a brand new weekday class on Fridays from 4.30pm to 6pm at our usual venue of Kendal Town Hall."

Stagecoach Theatre Arts has nearly 40,000 students worldwide, and former students include Emma Watson and Jamie Bell. The Kendal school run by Ann-Marie offers a wealth of opportunities in drama, dance and singing, including professional performances with touring company Opera International. Thirty students performed at Blackpool Grand Theatre in Carmen and Die Fledermaus in November, and more are set to appear again in Tosca this February.

Students also have the opportunity to take exams with the London Academy of Music and the Dramatic Arts, the oldest drama school in the world. In November two of their assessors came to examine more than 100 local youngsters in acting, verse and prose, and musical theatre, and they now eagerly await their results.

Stagecoach Theatre Arts Kendal is offering children aged four to seven a free discovery session at the new Friday classes. To book, call 01539-730849 or email kendal@stagecoach.co.uk. More details from www.stagecoach.co.uk/kendal