Light, shadow, music and narration have been used to create an atmospheric production at Lees Primary School.

A group of 22 year five pupils staged a shadow play for the rest of the school after two days of instruction from men hired by a Wakefield-based arts company.

John Welding, a professional artist, and Luke Dickson, an actor, showed the children how to create shadow figures from simple materials such as cardboard, sticks and tape.

They then showed them how to manipulate the figures behind a thin white screen, in co-ordination with moving scenery, a story narration, music and other sound effects.

Class five teacher Laura Feather said: "It was very challenging for the children. They needed to display a lot of teamwork.

"They've got so much out of it - they really enjoyed the two days."

Mr Welding - who along with his colleague was hired by a group called The Faceless Arts Company - said the pupils were taught how to stage a 20-minute production called The Conference of the Birds.

The play is based on an old Persian poem about a group of birds which journeys in search of enlightenment.

Mr Welding said: "The sessions have gone very well. There's a lot of different skills the kids had to pick up and use, but we think they've really taken to it and had a good time."