Ref. 27599A TASTE of romance came to St Laurence School, Bradford on Avon, with a performance of Gregory's Girl by the Youth Theatre Group.

Tickets for the three performances sold out a few days after going on sale and around 40 students aged 14 to 18 put their nerves on the backburner and took to the stage in front of parents and friends.

The show opened on Wednesday and was co-directed by John O'Brien, community theatre officer, and Youth Theatre member Ben O'Mahony.

Ben, 16, said: "Directing this has been great fun but it has been strange directing my friends and contemporaries.

"The last few plays we have done have all been about much heavier themes and have been quite tragic tales but this is a typical comedy and a real feel-good show for the audience."

Year 11 pupil Luke Nicholsen took the lead as Gregory and Year 10 pupil Sarah Clark starred opposite him in her acting debut as the football-playing object of Gregory's affections.

Mr O'Mahony said: "The Youth Theatre is great for a play like this because anyone of any age in the school can get involved.

"I will be glad when it is all over though and we are planning a big after-show party tonight."

The performance is in Trinity Hall tonight starting at 7.30pm.