A MUSEUM provided a colourful backdrop to a series of unusual theatrical perfor mances.

Pupils from Ellesmere Port Specialist School of Performing Arts, along with Parklands, Acorns and William Stockton primary schools performed the routines at the National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port.

Led by EPSSPA, the event was part of the Extended Schools in the Community initiative.

It saw 90 students aged seven to 16 spending the morning rehearsing their performances, which they had assembled themselves, with 'curtain up' at 2pm.

Each performance took place in a different part of the historic site.

One group choreographed a dance inspired by the journey. Guests were then led to the Power Hall where a second group performed their work based on the engines on display and the canal industry.

The final performance took place at Porters Row, an original terrace of dock workers' cottages. This act was inspired by the Victorian era and what it would have been like to live there at that time.

Sarah Sharp, the museum's education officer, said: 'The programme is part of a new Government initiative for schools to link with local organisations to encourage learning outside of the classroom.'