AN estate's youth will benefit from the Leigh area's mining heritage.

Wigan Pier Theatre Company has been given the green light to continue their popular work in the community following the award of a £34,000 grant from the Coalfield Regeneration Trust.

As part of Coalfield's "Communities that Work" scheme, the Company has been awarded the grant to continue drama workshops and theatre performances over the next three years on the Higher Folds estate.

In 2004, Coalfield gave the theatre company a Best Practice Grant of £4,000 to test pilot a youth theatre for young people aged 12 to 15 in the Higher Folds Community Centre. This resulted in the performance of A Higher View, a play based on the Higher Folds estate and the people who live there, as part of the Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust organised Words05 literary festival.

The youth theatre has since performed at conferences such as the Tenants Association Conference and The Arts Factor event at St Josephs Hall in Leigh.

"It is wonderful news that we will now be able to carry on with the theatrical activity on the Higher Folds estate. Another youth theatre has been set up and they will go into rehearsals for a major piece of theatre to be written by local professional playwright, Julie McKiernan," said Martin Green, Development Officer for Wigan Pier Theatre Company.

"This project will provide a fantastic opportunity for the community to work together creatively and all age groups are welcome to the drama sessions. A further performance will be created for 2008, so the next three years promises to be a busy and creative time and we urge people of all ages to get involved."

Drama classes are scheduled to take place every week during school term times. Higher Folds Community Theatre will continue to meet every Thursday in the New Year at Higher Folds Community Centre. Beginning on January 12, (6.30 9.30pm), the workshops will be open to all people interested in joining this community project who are aged eight and over.

More details from Martin Green or Stewart Aitken on 01942 709305 or at mpj.green@wlct.org