HOPEFUL actors, singers and dancers from Swindon are aiming to put a professional show together in only 10 days.

Around 250 youngsters on this year's Summer Youth Project are treading the boards in the popular musical West Side Story, which is based on Shakespeare's tragic love story Romeo and Juliet.

Songs such as Maria, I Feel Pretty, Some Day and Tonight are ringing out from different rooms at the Wyvern Theatre, bringing the venue to life as the students learn their roles.

Taking the principal parts are Paul Tonkin as Tony and Anna Mitcham as Maria.

Paul, 22, from Swindon, starred in two previous youth projects as Mr Bumble in Oliver and Freddie in My Fair Lady. This is Anna's first time.

"I think the project is brilliant and keeps the arts going in Swindon," said Paul. "Every summer we get a taste of the real thing."

For Anna, 19, from Didcot in Oxfordshire, it is a dream come true as West Side Story is her favourite musical and she always wanted to play Maria.

"I've seen it about 10 times,'' she admitted.

The musical director of this year's project is a West End musical veteran Rob Cousins. It is his first time in Swindon and he is already impressed by the high standards he's found.

"Many of these students would hold their own in London drama schools,'' he said. "The project is about experiencing all the theatre disciplines.''

The youngsters get a full taste of what it takes to put on a professional production and learn teamwork, back stage and front of house skills, how to behave on stage and social development.

Pollyann Tanner from Tanwood School of Dance is taking on the dual role of director and choreographer and is, as usual, relishing the challenge.

It is her favourite musical, too, and she starred as Anybodys in the West End version.

Holly Hughes takes on the role in this production with Paul Shelford as Bernardo, Ed White as Riff and Janine Pardoe as Anita.

West Side Story is the ninth Summer Youth Project following the success of Bugsy, followed by Annie, 42nd Street, My Fair Lady, Oliver, Me and My Girl, Joseph, and last year's Crazy For You.

Pollyann has been involved in all the projects and says she wants to see the young ones pass through the project, go on to university or drama schools and come back to project.

"It would be something for the little ones to aspire to,'' she said.

"Already this year we have at least 50 who are over 16 and we have upped the age range to 25.''

The Summer Youth Project is backed by EMI, the Evening Advertiser and Swindon Council.

West Side story runs from Saturday August 3 to August 10 and tickets are from £8.50 from Swindon 524481.