TALENTED Huddersfield performers have been auditioning for a training programme to set them on the road to success.

People aged over 18 with a flair for dance, music, theatre or technical production skills went to auditions held by organisers of the Stepping Stone project.

Stepping Stone is run by Brighouse-based Ruffneck Productions and Kirklees African-Caribbean Community Resource Suite at the Hudawi Centre on Great Northern Street, Hillhouse.

The idea was to offer opportunities to people from cultural backgrounds like African-Caribbean and Asian, which are under-represented in the entertainment industry.

Over the next few weeks, 30 people will be chosen.

The choice will be made by judges Fragrance Francique, chief executive of Ruffneck, local actor Everal A Walsh, Katherine Canoville, who is on the board of Leeds College of Music, and Prince Rodney, a Huddersfield boxer who held the British light-middleweight title between 1983 and 1986.

Fragrance said: "We are looking for people who give 100%, who are interested in entertainment and have talent. It doesn't matter what a person's background is."

The lucky 30 will get a 12-week training course in either music and radio production, drama and theatre work or film-making.

The courses are expected to be at Huddersfield Technical College and at jobseekers' centre Ray Street Enterprises, on Great Northern Street.

The courses will include lectures from BBC producers.

The work students complete will be displayed around the UK during Black History Month in October.

The BBC's support comes courtesy of Fragrance, 31, a freelance producer for the corporation.

He uncovered much of the talent seen at Stepping Stone several years ago, while searching for young radio drama actors with the BBC's Norman Beaton Fellowship.

The fellowship offers work placements and awards to aspiring actors, particularly those from ethnic minorities.

Like Stepping Stone, it is exclusively for those over 18 who have not specially trained for their chosen career.

Fragrance struggled to find work as a young actor before directing short films and pop videos.

He also released an R'n'B album and produced an album for his cousin's famous USA rap act Wu-Tang Clan.

He said Stepping Stone would create more opportunities in the entertainment industry outside London, for people of all cultures.

He said: "There is hardly any film or music industry in West Yorkshire. There should be a lot more. Huddersfield has some good resources, but they are not used fully.

"It is a question of co-ordination, linking those who need help with facilities.

"I'm trying to bring a little bit of the things I've done back home to Huddersfield."