BRADFORD'S young people are being asked to shout - and sing - about their home town and take part in the first musical dedicated to the city.

And they're being told not to hold back when sharing their views which will be woven into There's No Place Like Bradford.

The musical will be staged in October and is being organised by Bradford Council's Music and Arts Department.

The play will hang on the narrative structure of the Wizard of Oz, with with a central character or group encountering various communities and cultures of Bradford.

Work on the production - which is possible thanks to Arts Council funding given to the department - starts later this month at a workshop for secondary school pupils to develop their interest of performance, song-writing and musical theatre.

They will be working with theatre professionals, including Amanda Glover, Artistic Director of Youth Music Theatre Scotland, to bring the project alive.

The musical is the brain-child of Tony Johnson, Bradford Council’s Head of Music and Arts, who said: "This is a unique opportunity for the district’s secondary pupils and we are hoping there will be a good response.

"This opportunity gives young people who are interested in the arts and performing a chance to work alongside professional people and become part of a company of artists in creating and delivering Bradford’s first-ever musical.”

He said although the musical would likely be positive, the young people taking part would not be encouraged to paint Bradford in an unrealistic light.

He added: "There is a lot of positivity in the district at the moment so I'm sure that will be reflected, but the production has to come from what children experience and then bring to the table.

"In Bradford you meet so many different cultures, and this will make up part of the musical. We're looking at fusing things like a brass band with South East Asian music.

"There is no script yet, it will come from the children. We have called it There's No Place Like Bradford, because for these young people this is true."

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, the Council's executive member for education, skills and culture, said: "I think this is a brilliant idea. I’m really looking forward to seeing Bradford, the Musical.

"It’s going to be a unique production. What’s more, students will have the opportunity to lead on some of the planning and preparation, giving them even more hands-on experience and learning opportunities."

The performance will take place on Saturday, October 10. The venue has yet to be decided, and the performance will tie in with the Echoes of Oz festival taking place that same week.

The free workshop takes place from August 25 to 29 between 10 am and 4 pm. Contact 01274 385555, or e-mail tony.johnson@bradford.gov.uk.