MORE than 40 students have shown off their acting skills with a scheme at Swindon's Arts Centre.

Forty eight students from the Commonweal School, Swindon's performing arts specialist school, in Old Town, gave up their evenings and weekends to take part in a day of drama at the centre in Devizes Road so they could showcase their drama skills.

The youngsters got the opportunity to work alongside professionals from the drama industry, and took part in special workshops so they could enhance their abilities.

James Luck, acting director of Bath Theatre Royal's youth drama group The Egg, said: "The premise of the workshops was to give young people games and exercises for creating their own work.

"Ultimately, if any of the young people came away from the sessions realising the value of their work and feeling excited about creating their next piece of drama then I have done a good job." The event was organised by TheatreWorks a new organisation to develop and support theatre in Swindon and Wiltshire.

Deryck Newland, the newly-appointed director is based at the University of Bath in Swindon's Oakfield campus.

As part of the specialist status the secondary school holds regular activities incorporating music, drama and dance.