Pupils from Bexleyheath School will be among the performers at this summer's Edinburgh Festival.

The pupils have formed the Berts and Stans Theatre Company which will perform two productions on its Edinburgh Fringe debut.

The school is trying to raise money to finance the trip by forming a Friends of the Berts and Stans Theatre Company.

And their efforts are being backed by the News Shopper, which has become one of the first organisations to sign up as a Friend.

Bexleyheath is one of the largest state schools in the country with nearly 2,000 pupils, and it is rare for a state school to appear at the festival.

The company, made up of the school's AS-level drama pupils, will perform two plays, Blood Wedding, by Frederico Lorca, and Glengarry Glen Ross, by David Mamet.

The school's drama teachers, Gavin Henry, Leisa Rea and Caroline Edwards, have also attracted professional actors to work with the pupils who have made a substantial contribution towards funding the productions.

To become a Friend costs £10. Send your cheque, made payable to Bexleyheath School, to the school, in Graham Road, Bexleyheath, with your name and address and in return you will receive a membership certificate. The productions will be on the Fringe from August 13 to 18.

Box office numbers for tickets are 0131 228 7555 for Blood Wedding and 0131 667 9555 for Glengarry Glen Ross. Booking opens at the end of this month.