Budding young actors currently in their second year of a BTEC National Diploma in Acting at Kidderminster College, have brought the spirit of Christmas to many of the children currently staying at the Acorns children's hospices in Walsall, Worcester and Selly Oak through special performances of their Pantomime - The Lost Boy.

Written by the acting students, The Lost Boy is a take on JM Barrie's classic Peter Pan and is an hour-long show incorporating song and dance featuring a chrous of Lost Boys, Pirates and Indians played by supporting first years. Tutor Jenny Eglinton said: "The students have been working on The Lost Boy as part of their second year course work. They were so pleased with the final show that they wanted to be able to take it on the road' for the benefit of others. After contacting Acorns we were really pleased to be able to set up three special performances for the children staying at each of the hospices and their families."

The show, which is also being staged at the College this week, has been a huge success and not only features the talents of the acting students but the handiwork of 2nd year BTEC Production Arts students who have co-ordinated everything behind the scenes from the lighting to the sound and staging with the help of their first year peers .

"The shows at Acorns were fantastic," Jenny adds. "The children and staff loved the pantomime and our students were over the moon at how well it was received, it really did bring the spirit of Christmas to the Acorns hospices."