YOUNG actors from the Five Valleys were under siege on Friday - as they re-enacted the struggle for Gloucester during the English Civil War.

Dressed in period costume and trained by professional acting coaches, the 30 youngsters spent a week preparing for the show at Wick Court in Frampton-on-Severn.

The musical play, intended to help them learn about local history as well as develop acting skills, was based on first-hand accounts of the siege of Gloucester.

Sarah Blowers, from the Fairgame Theatre Company, which organised the event, said: "They have worked together as a group really well.

"What has been really good is the way most of the scenes have been improvised - they have come up with most of it themselves.

"The nice thing is they will all go away knowing a lot about their county's past after bringing it to life."

Specialists taught the budding actors, all aged between 11 and 17, how to perform fight scenes, and schooled them in period dancing and songs.

Funded with a £22,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the series of free week-long workshops aim to give drama-loving youngsters an insight into the county's history.

Performer Rosalie Darien Jones, 14, from Pitchcombe, said: "I have had a really good time - we have done drama clubs before but this one has probably been one of the best. We haven't had to pay either."

Pal Brendan McKenzie, 14, from Nailsworth, added: "It's been really good and really improved my acting skills - I loved the combat training."