YOUNGSTERS are to kick off a premiership clash by staging their very own version of the film Moulin Rouge.

Around 80 youngsters from high schools in Blackburn and Darwen will be providing the live pre-match entertainment at Blackburn Rovers' game at home to Newcastle United on March 23.

The 20-minute song and dance spectacular will be based on the Oscar-nominated musical starring Nicole Kidman.

Auditions were held at the beginning of February, when over 250 children aged between 12 and 16 were whittled down to the final 80.

The Arena of Life project has been funded through the Government's Excellence in Cities programme. All nine high schools in Blackburn with Darwen are involved. One of the aims is to help develop gifted and talented pupils.

Jessica Byrne, Blackburn with Darwen's co-ordinator for gifted and talented children, said: "This project has given the pupils opportunities they would never have had otherwise."

The youngsters have spent all their half-term holiday rehearsing at Rovers' Ewood Park ground. As well as dancers and singers, there is a documentary crew and a media team who are working with the Lancashire Evening Telegraph to produce a special supplement publicising the show. Next week children will be back at Ewood Park every night for more rehearsals.

The project is being co-ordinated by Dave King from Space (Sports and Corporate Entertainment) an organisation which specialises in running such events. He has brought in a choreographer, singing coach and media expert.

"The idea is to give the youngsters the chance to create something really special," he said.

Dancer Gemma Farnworth, 14, from St Wilfrid's High School, Blackburn, said: "It will be one of those experiences I'll never forget." Emma Vargas, 14, of Darwen Moorland High School, added: "I've never had any dance training before so it's been really hard to learn the steps but the teaching has been good."

One of the lead vocalists, Wendy Reid, of Queen's Park High School, Blackburn, is looking forward to singing one of her favourite songs, Rhythm of Life. "It'll be a fantastic experience to sing live in front of such a huge crowd," she said.

The show will be staged in the centre of the pitch and every moment will be captured by the documentary crew. One of these, Jonathan Taylor, 12, from Darwen Moorland High School said: "Learning new skills and having fun is the best bit. No one is stressed out here because we are here because we want to be."

Marc Duckworth, 15, from Pleckgate High School, Blackburn, said: "I have never done anything like this before and the most challenging part has been the camera work."

The youngsters got the chance to interview Blackburn Rovers' manager Graeme Souness. Jennifer Gaul, 14, from Witton Park High School, Blackburn, said: "That was the best part for me -- being there next to someone you see on TV."

Dave King added: "We have really emphasised that they are all as important as one another. This is a real team effort. They have gelled together so well and so quickly. I think anyone going to the Newcastle game will be surprised at just how good these kids are. They have worked really hard."

He also praised Nick Hall, Blackburn Rovers' business development officer, who has helped co-ordinate the project.