AN OPERA marred by a row over a gay character went ahead in East Yorkshire over the weekend after a primary school which originally refused to take part had a change of heart.

Bay Primary, in Bridlington, withdrew 300 of its pupils from the production of Beached, by Billy Elliot creator Lee Hall, because of a line which included the word “queer”.

Mr Hall subsequently agreed to change the line and the show, commissioned by Opera North and involving the school’s choir and other local musicians, was staged at the town’s Spa theatre on Saturday.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Bay Primary said the school decided to take part after “an age-appropriate text” was included.