YOUNGSTERS from GTS Performing Arts took time out from rehearsals for their pre-Christmas production to learn from a professional.

GTS - formerly known as Glusburn Theatre School - will stage a new version of the popular musical, The Sound of Music, at Skipton Town Hall next week.

And they have been given a helping hand by Pippa Buxton, an accomplished musical actor and star of the stage show Wicked, who popped in to share her tips on how to wow an audience and get the hills around Skipton really singing to the "sound of music".

Pippa is no stranger to the Sound of Music having played the role of Maria on tour when Connie Fisher, who won TV's How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, wasn’t available.

A great supporter of local theatre and a patron of GTS, Pippa donated a signed copy of The Grimmery.

"This is a beautiful old book containing lots of Wicked facts, photographs spells, which has been signed by the whole cast (including Kerry Ellis)," said GTS director Dev Swan, who plans to auction it to raise money for further productions.

The theatre company - which performed carols and other songs at the Skipton lights switch-on - will stage Getting to Know The Sound of Music from next Thursday, December 18, to next Saturday, December 20, with curtains up at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £8 for adults and £6 for concessions and are available from Skipton Tourist Information Centre or call 01274 815524 or 07947 185144

GTS was launched in 2006 and met at Glusburn Institute before moving to Farnhill and Kildwick Institute last year and to Skipton Town Hall in September.