BUDDING actors and playwrights at a Blackburn high school were treated to a week-long workshop, hosted by one of the country's leading scribes.

Charlotte Keatley has helped pupils at St Wilfrid's School devise a play which will centre on moments in their lives when their hearts missed a beat -- whether through fear, excitement, shock or love.

The top playwright will guide the group towards the creation of a new play, to be staged on October 19 and 20 at Darwen Library Theatre.

The project was organised by the school's head of drama, Charles Barrow. Twenty students aged from 11 to 18 signed up for the course.

"It is a real privilege to have someone of Charlotte Keatley's standing working so closely with the students," Mr Barrow said.

Tickets for the play are already on sale. Telephone 01254 706006.