MORE than 300 primary age children were entertained by students from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School when they put on a special performance of Julius Caesar in Thornbury.

A modern version of the Shakespeare classic was organised as one of the events linked with Thornbury Arts Festival.

Written for a young audience, the production also involved a number of the pupils helping out as extras.

The children who had been invited to see the play in the Armstrong Hall came from schools in the town and surrounding area.

Every year the drama students visit with a different production and their performances have always been popular with the schools, whose pupils enjoy the experience of live theatre.

The main arts festival runs from April 17-26 and this year features performances from the likes of conservationist Bill Oddie, comedian Jo Caulfield and father and daughter actors Philip and Samantha Bond.

The annual Thornbury Eisteddfod for children and young people, also falling under the festival umbrella, will be another event running ahead of the main programme, with classes for speech, drama, music and song taking place from March 7-15.