CHILDREN from a Prudhoe school took to the professional stage to tell a story about the history of their local area.

Students from Highfield Middle School joined Blackhall Mill Youth and Community Theatre on the production, called Searching for the Heart of the Land of Oak and Iron.

Produced by Harmony Associates, the play embarked on a journey through time, visiting different eras in areas of the Derwent Valley and surrounding areas, as a celebration of the history and heritage of the region.

Several parts were set in the Prudhoe area, including Prudhoe Castle and St Mary Magdalene Church.

Harmony Associates worked with the pupils on producing the play, with around 35 pupils from Highfield Middle School involved.

Then around 20 pupils took to the stage at the Consett Empire for the performance. Head of year 5 Stuart Rutherford said those involved were a mixture of pupils with drama experience, and children who had never been involved in the school’s productions before.

He said: “The kids loved it and I think for a lot of them it was their first time performing on a professional stage.

“We had great feedback as well about the quality of their acting and about the content of it.”