Special needs pupils in the spotlight

5:07pm Tuesday 29th April 2008

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SPECIAL needs students from the district will take centre stage tomorrow when they showcase their talents in front of a packed audience and some celebrity guests.

Pupils from Watling View in St Albans and St Luke's in Crouch Hall Lane, Redbourn, will join 130 students from several of the county's special schools at the Radlett Centre in Aldenham Avenue ready to perform in the annual Variety of Britain Show.

Sitting in the audience this year will be EastEnders actor Derek Martin, who plays Charlie Slater, and former Doctor Who star turned television presenter Sophie Aldred.

Over the last few weeks the pupils have been busy preparing for their spotlight moment from choreographing dance routines to writing song lyrics.

Pupils from St Luke's will be performing a dance medley with a tropical caribbean theme and pupils at Watling View will be reciting a poem about the beauty of birds.

After each school has demonstrated their unique act, the celebrity guests will hand out certificates to all the talented participants.

Organiser Julie Banes said: "The show is giving the children a chance to perform without making it a contest.

"It means that they are for once just the same as everyone else and given the same opportunities to be applauded for their talents which are so often not recognised."