York youngsters could be groomed for stardom if the city becomes home to two Fame-style schools.

Actress Lorraine Chase launches the drive for funds to set up drama and dance units at two York schools with the help of Oaklands School pupils, from left, Paul Jones, Kayleigh Paul-Rintoul, Michael Reading, Michael Aldred, Lauren Hann and Emma Gill.

But people behind the ambitious bid to establish the specialist schools have just days to raise £100,000 if the scheme is to go ahead.

Actress Lorraine Chase today appealed to local companies to support the bid which would bring in another £400,000 from the Government to Oaklands and Manor CE Schools.

The two schools would become specialist schools in music, drama and dance, sharing facilities with other schools.

Classrooms would be converted to drama and music rooms, new IT music equipment would be bought and extra teachers would be employed.

But the two schools need pledges for £100,000 by the end of May if the bid is to be submitted this year.

Lorraine, the "Luton Airport" girl who is currently starring in Love Me Slender at the Grand Opera House in York, visited Oaklands School to lend her support and meet some enthusiastic Year 8 pupils who were studying drama and dance.

She said: "Everything took off for me after the Campari commercial and I know how much it changed my life.

"But I was very shy when I was young and this is a way of bringing children out really - even if kids don't go on to a career in drama they will be able to learn to express themselves and have confidence. This is a way for local businesses to show that they have good intentions towards the youth of York."

During her run at the Grand Opera House, Lorraine has been staying with actor friend and Brittas Empire star, Mike Burns, who is married to Oaklands headteacher Michelle Burns.

Mrs Burns said the school already had a strong interest in the performing arts and would be the first in York to enter pupils for Dance GCSE next year.

Peter Smith, head teacher at Manor CE School, said the school's main strength was in music and its jazz band was playing at the Royal Festival Hall in July.

Martin Foster can be contacted on York 554276.

see COMMENT 'Fame at last for city pupils?'

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