DO YOUR children want to be the showbusiness stars of the future? Perhaps you have a budding Daniel Craig or a young Jennifer Ellison in the family.

If so, the Liverpool Empire has a fantastic opportunity for them.

The theatre’s Education and Community department are offering children, aged between seven and 11, the chance to join its Stars Performing Arts Group, which enrolls them on a course of dancing and drama, and builds up to an end- of-term performance.

The workshops, which start on February 5 and run through to June, can also be a fantastic stepping stone into the Empire Youth Theatre and the Empire Youth Dance Company groups which hold annual auditions each September.

"The course will give youngsters the chance to appear on stage, and will also be good for their self-esteem and confidence," says Natalie Flynn, the Empire Theatre’s head of education.

"They will be working with theatre professionals doing things like devising scripts and improvising.

"Some of our older students have gained places at university or at drama school, and we hope some of them can go on to be in professional productions."

There are no auditions to join the Stars Performing Arts Group, however there are a limited number of places available. A membership fee of £110 is also required (which can be paid in two parts) to cover the cost of the tuition, costumes, hire of performance venue and any performance licence fees.

The end of term performance, which will showcase a piece of musical theatre, will take place at an as yet unnamed city centre venue.

* CONTACT Natalie Flynn on 0151 708 3202 or email education.lempire@livenation.co.uk