A THEATRE group have been given civic backing as they gear up for a series of shows at the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Students from Stage 84 invited The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Joanne Dodds, to their final rehearsal of Oliver.

The cast of more than 40 youngsters, aged between eight and 18, dazzled the Lord Mayor with their performance yesterday after a series of shows at Bingley Arts Centre last month.

The students from the performing arts school in Town Lane, Idle, will do five performances in Edinburgh during their week-long trip, which starts on Saturday.

They will also get an opportunity to see performers from around the world at the event.

The Edinburgh trip will bring the curtain down on their Oliver shows, as they will prepare to perform Starlight Express at Bingley Arts Centre in October.

Craig Winward, managing director of Stage 84, who is directing Oliver, said: "This showcases Bradford people on the international stage.

"We have sent productions to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival on 16 previous occasions.

"The group will get to see performers from all over the world. It will be a good experience for the students.

"The Mayor enjoyed seeing our performers is a big fan of our shows and saw Oliver at Bingley last month."