CHILDREN from a Furness stage school have been invited to showcase their skills for the performance of a lifetime at Disneyland Paris.

Pupils from KS Musicals in Barrow are hoping generous donations from the public can help them achieve their dream of taking centre stage at the world famous theme park in October 2018.

A troupe of around 30 students aged 10 and over are planning to make the journey which will see them entertain crowds in the 1,000-seater Hyperion theatre in the park's Tomorrowland zone.

The school's owner and singing teacher Katherine Parkinson, 33, is hoping to raise around £10,000 so no pupil will miss out on the opportunity.

She said: "Naturally, the children are thrilled to bits to have been chosen.

"We are currently working out our costings and are looking for sponsorship from local businesses to make the trip accessible for all.

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"This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for the children and I think we are the first in the area to do this; and I'm really pleased to give them this chance.

"We want to raise around £10,000 because it would bring down the cost for all the children involved."

The cost is estimated at around £500 per person at the moment, and each child travelling would also need to be accompanied by a family member.

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Mrs Parkinson added: "We want to reduce the cost for each child and buy matching tracksuits, and our costumes.

"They will perform with their friends and it will be brilliant."

The mother-of-two first dabbled with the idea back in 2016 after seeing some children performing while on holiday in the park.

After sending across a number of audition tapes, the school, which was established in 2011, was given the go-ahead and staff have got to work planning their performance.

In addition to asking local businesses to help ease any financial worries, the group are also hosting a series of fundraising performances.

The first will be a race night held at Barrow cricket club on November 10, followed by their annual Christmas show, which is to be held at Furness Academy on December 3, at 2.30pm and again at 6.30pm.

"If it all goes well we can look to do it again in the next few years.

"I have two young children and I'd love them to be a part of it one day," added Mrs Parkinson.

If you would like to donate to KS Musicals, get in touch with Katherine Parkinson by email at info@ksmusicals.co.uk

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