HUNDREDS of young people from York took to the stage at the weekend for an extravaganza of theatrical skills.

Children from 15 schools participated in the fifth annual School Drama Festival at York University's Central Hall on Saturday.

The event, organised by City of York Council's art services, saw 300 children performing everything from fairy tales to drama pieces.

Arts service drama consultant Colin Jackson said: "The teachers were asked to begin their work from common starting points and during the last four months these themes have been explored by the pupils.

"It is always a delight to discover the diverse range of approaches and styles from each school."

Children aged six to eight from Clifton Green School performed a Fairy Tale Rap, which links with work they have been covering at school. The piece brought together an assortment of characters from some of their favourite tales.

Students from Northfield School examined the problems encountered by people with disabilities. Their performance dealt with how those with disabilities are treated in contrast to how the patients would like them to be treated.

Mr Jackson said: "Drama has the unique ability to allow pupils to fully absorb themselves in situations, books, topics and problems and to work as if they were the people involved. This improves their understanding of the subject and also helps them to consider problems from different viewpoints and to work as a group."

Updated: 10:47 Monday, March 10, 2003