A GREENOCK youth theatre are heading to the world’s largest arts festival.

The cast of 17 young people from Kayos Youth Theatre performed The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at The Beacon last year.

They loved the production and audiences enjoyed it so much that they wanted to be the first Inverclyde youth theatre group to take a show to the Edinburgh Fringe.

With the project set to cost around £5,000 they have set up a fundraising page to cover some of the costs.

Kevin Jannetts, artistic director, said: “We are over the moon to be going to the Edinburgh Fringe.

"Our top priority for any more money raised is a live band.

"We had young people from Inverclyde in the band when we performed at The Beacon and we're keen to have this again for the Fringe.

“We will be performing in a brand new Fringe venue thanks to former Kayos member Stephanie Irvine.

"She has arranged for us to perform in the Orchard Field in DoubleTree by Hilton.

“The cast have really taken on fundraising themselves, putting together promotional videos and organising fundraisers and we are so thankful to everyone who has donated so far.

“It will be a great experience for all the young people involved.

"Not only will they get to perform the show again at the Fringe but they will get to help promote it, see other forms of theatre, take part in workshops and meet other performers.”

The group will be performing four shows during the festival starting on August 9.

He said: “The Fringe will be a new experience for the majority of our young people, in fact, only four of the cast have had the opportunity to visit the Fringe never mind performing there.

“The cast worked incredibly hard on this production and are excited to take it on the road and perform it outwith Inverclyde.

“We have a fabulous show, an incredible cast, a brilliant venue, costumes, props and accommodation and any additional funds will help us to make it the best it can be and ensure our costs are covered."

Cast members Kirsty McKenzie, Beth Cunningham and Philip McCallum, pictured, are looking forwards to performing a show they loved again.

Beth said: “I never expected as a teenager that I would be performing at The Fringe. It's amazing and I can’t wait.”

* The group are looking for sponsorship from local businesses and anyone interested is asked to email kevin@beaconartscentre.co.uk

To donate to the fund visit https://bit.ly/2Uo0uEA