HONLEY High School has opened its doors to 100 actors during the half-term holidays.

While most schools wind down activities during the break, Honley High is hosting 100 actors from Holmfirth-based CragRats theatrical communications company.

The actors are rehearsing for It's Your Future, a specially-commissioned production, which will visit 915 schools in the UK in November and December.

Among the parts they will be playing are Ken and Deirdre, from TV's Coronation Street, and Alfie and Kat from EastEnders.

A CragRats spokesman said: "We are delighted to be working with students across the UK at this important stage in their development.

"We specialise in productions which are not only entertaining, engaging and diverse, but also highly effective in communicating key messages and motivating audiences.

"CragRats will be touring Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Surrey, Devon and Cornwall among other regions - 25 total - helping students make some crucial decisions about the best route for them to continue in learning."

Pupils in their final year at school are set for a head-spinning performance of costume changes, singing, dancing and fast moving action. The actors are taking the parts of characters from well-known soap operas, with songs from Girls Aloud, Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé Knowles.

The production is being staged by 25 teams of actors, paid for by the Learning and Skills Council and Connexions, a young people's service.

The performance is designed to inspire pupils to continue their education after studying GCSEs.

They highlight the benefits of completing a Modern Apprenticeship or studying for AS-levels and vocational or academic A-levels.

A spokesman for the Learning and Skills Council said: "It's Your Future is an entertaining way to get a serious message across.

"It is essential that young people do not give up on learning at the age of 16.

"We believe the CragRats presentation, while entertaining pupils, will play an important part in explaining the wide range of post-16 options available.

"We want to encourage them to think about their futures as early as possible and get plenty of advice along the way, whether it be from family, schools or careers advisers," the spokesman added.