SIXTEEN students from Accrington and Rossendale College were due to appear before Leeds Crown Court today.

The law A-level and drama students are taking over the court as part of a national competition organised by the Bar Council and Citizenship foundation.

Students from the Sandy Lane college will take the roles of barristers, witnesses, jurors, court clerks and ushers in two mock cases at the crown court revolving around an assault and a case of dangerous driving.

They will be assessed on their performances, along with eleven other schools also on trial, and could go through to a national final in Edinburgh next April.

This is the college's first attempt at the competition and Donna Caley, head of A-Level law, thinks her group stand a good chance.

She said: "I think the competition is an excellent idea. Students can gain experience of what jury members as they decide the fate of another person."

The students will wear the appropriate dress, including wig and gown.

Keeping a watchful eye over the proceedings will be a real crown court judge or a QC plus a panel of assessors to monitor the students.

The overall winner after the 16 regional heats and grand final will win £250 in books for the school plus a thesaurus and dictionary for all competitors.