YOUNG people across Bury are being shown a hard-hittng drama to educate them on the problems caused by anti-social behaviour.

Already, a pilot performance of Acting Your Age has been staged at The Met in Bury with a repeat performance at Tottington High School yesterday.

Last year, a steering group commissioned the GW Theatre Company to produce a drama to further the fight against anti-social behaviour. Bury Council was a member of the steering group, along with other authorities and the police.

Over the next two weeks, 500 pupils aged 14 and 15 will watch Acting Your Age. The play addresses questions about anti-social behaviour, generational conflict and social responsibility. It will be performed at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre today and will be attended by Hazel Blears MP.

Dave Jones, artistic director of the GW Theatre Company, said: "Drama is an excellent way of getting complex messages across to young people.

"Acting Your Age is intended to be one part of a three-staged approach towards highlighting the problem of anti-social behaviour.

"In the first stage, pupils will explore the initial concepts about anti-social behaviour held by young people. The second stage is the presentation of the play itself ,which is immediately followed by a hot seat' session where pupils get the chance to question characters about their actions."

He added: "The third stage of the initiative will follow a few days later when local community police officers, anti-social behaviour officers and other skilled professionals will attend the school to discuss matters arising, focusing on citizenship and community cohesion."