A group of Bradford children have forsaken part of their Easter holiday to tread the boards at Bradford University.

About 100 students have taken part in a week of drama workshops culminating in a grand finale performance at the University's Theatre in the Mill.

The event saw teenagers from across West Yorkshire developing skills which were showcased in a final show.

The workshops included all aspects of theatre, set and costume design, light and sound-rigging and performing in front of an audience.

But the sessions also aimed to get the teenagers to perform on a bigger stage - by aspiring to go to university.

The week's activities, entitled Aim Higher, were organised by Bradford University's Access and Widening Participation Team.

Co-ordinator Anwar Ayub said: "This week of activities provides a fantastic opportunity for pupils to learn outside the classroom and, at the same time, find out what future higher education opportunities are available to them.

"Sometimes holiday periods can offer little stimulation for youngsters - but we're aiming to put an end to that.

"Over these exciting five days they have been working together with new-found friends to create a short performance as well as improving their confidence and getting a taste of the creative and organisational work that goes into putting on a show."

The event is the latest in a series at the university to get secondary school pupils to consider going into higher education.

It is aimed at pupils who are coming towards the end of their school education and are making decisions about their future.

Aim Higher is a project run by the Department for Education and Skills to widen the participation of young people in higher education, particularly those from "non-traditional" backgrounds, ethnic minorities, and disabled groups.

Its aims are to provide prospective students with information about university courses and the financial support available.

University life is normally associated with young people who excel in traditional academic subjects

But at Bradford University Aim Higher sessions have been run to get young people to consider accessing higher education through vocational education.

Earlier this year the university staged an Aim Higher Vocationally event with a series of workshops in areas such as drama, art and design, sports, horticulture, rocket science and health and social care.