Ref. 29394-70Partners, a Swindon theatre company, is raising awareness of the effects of bullying through a performance entitled Sticks And Stones.

Partners, based at the Wyvern Theatre, has been running for 10 years and is the premier arts and disability scheme of Reach Inclusive Arts.

Mark Smyth from Reach said: "The show is a journey of dreams and realities where the audience can experience and even change the course of events as they unfold.''

The project is in conjunction with Swindon Dance's Moving For Change Season.

Sticks and Stones is an anti-bullying awareness programme that finishes at Swindon Dance after a two-week tour of Wiltshire secondary schools.

Liz Rothschild, artistic director of the production, said: "I encourage everyone to come and witness the wonderful talent and humour on display while working with the very real problem of bullying.''

Reach Inclusive Arts has received £29,355 from the Arts Council of England to launch the anti-bullying arts education programme.

Bullying is a major problem in schools throughout the UK but for around 88 per cent of disabled people it is almost a daily part of their lives, according to a recent Mencap Survey.

The artists will use film, animation, music, dance and visual arts to raise awareness of bullying when they visit the county's schools.

They have also created a video programme for wider distribution in the community.

Tickets to see Sticks And Stones at 7.30pm on March 19 at the Town Hall Studios in Regent Circus are £4 and £2.50 concessions from 01793 463210.