YOUNGSTERS in Bolton hope to challenge preconceptions about homeless people through performing arts after spending time visiting homeless projects.

Nearly 30 pupils from Canon Slade School have created a 10-minute piece called Streetwise, a mixture of dance, drama, and singing which they will perform at next week's Step Up arts festival at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall.

The 16 and 17-year-olds were inspired to create the piece after spending time with Bolton Council's community housing service, meeting staff and visiting homeless projects.

A few students were taken to areas in Bolton where homeless people have to spend the night.

Arts college director Gail Shuttleworth said: "I think some of the students really had their eyes opened to some of the issues, especially as to the different reasons why people become homeless."

In their piece, the students begin by showing the stereotypical views of homeless people, which they then challenge. They hope the audience leaves with changed perceptions.

Dancer George Critchley, aged 17, said: "We saw for ourselves the reality of homelessness and it broke down all the stereotypes we had - of homeless people all being bearded tramps and The Big Issue sellers."

"There were pregnant teenagers without homes and young people in need of help. From this experience, we improvised a dance that would sum up what we saw, how we felt and how wrong all the stereotypes are."

Fellow student Claire Green, aged 17, said: "Seeing young people my age, who had no place to call home was really shocking.

"Our dance for Step Up is a moving portrayal of what we saw on the streets and in the homeless centres."

All of the schools involved in Step Up are specialist Arts Colleges or have Artsmark status.

Step Up is a partnership project between Arts Council England, North West, The Bridgewater Hall Community Education Trust and Arts Learning North West.