SUPERSTAR singers at a school for disabled children have teamed up with the English Touring Opera and Poole High to create a brand new opera.

Speakout will be produced by 30 children from Poole High and Victoria Education Centre, which offers specialised care for youngsters with complex conditions and physical disabilities.

BBC Children in Need donated £10,000 to support the project, which aims to promote different forms of communication, including singing, signing and speaking aids. Artistic associate for education from the English Touring Opera, Tim Yealland visited Victoria Education Centre on July 18 to kick-start the inspirational project.

He said: “This is the first really big integrated project we have done and I think it will be a terrific learning curve for all of us. “The starting point for the storyline is communication, but there will be completely new words, new songs and the children will all brainstorm their ideas together.”

Professional singers, composers, directors and musicians from the English Touring Opera will be collaborating with the students to produce an inspirational opera. The project was masterminded by dance teacher at Poole-based Victoria Education Centre, Belinda Ellicott.

She said: “I’m excited, but absolutely terrified to see everything coming together. The whole school will be getting involved.”

Jude Wardell-Knights, an 18-year-old student at Victoria Education Centre said: “I’ll definitely be singing. I can’t wait.”

Lauren Stubbs, 14, from Poole High said: “It’s been so fun to work with all the children here because once you get over the initial first impression, you realise how lovely and normal they all are.”

The rehearsals will be taking place from September 23 and the final performance will be Friday September 27. Happy Days Children’s Charity donated £1,000 towards the project.