YOUNG York carers and children with special needs trod the boards at York Theatre Royal with pantomime stars Martin Barras and Richard Kay.

About 12 children from the Acomb- based Crossroads Caring for Carers and SNAPPY, joined the actors for a series of drama workshops and a tour of the theatre in a bid to enhance their skills, give them an opportunity to discover the magic of the theatre and give the young carers a break from their roles.

Crossroads is the major organisation which provides practical support and advice to carers across England and Wales.

Stephen Sorby, children's services manager of the Crossroads Association, said: "It's giving the children an opportunity that perhaps they otherwise wouldn't have - an experience in drama and theatre.

"It gives them a sense of being part of something and the children who are young carers may have the chance to consider a career in theatre or stage management."

Crossroads hopes the workshop initiative will be rolled out across the rest of England and Wales, but this depends upon suitable funds being forthcoming.

The organisation helps more than 33,000 carers every year but estimates that the number of carers will double over the next ten years.

Updated: 09:47 Thursday, April 24, 2003