A Shropshire-based theatre company has turned the worrying problems facing youngsters on the internet into an interest-grabbing play aimed at schools.

Justin Cliffe, from Gobowen, near Oswestry, has launched the Tin Shed Theatre Company.

He has launched the venture along with two fellow students from the University of Newport.

While at university their productions gained such respect that one – Office 212 – even went to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival during the summer of 2008.

Now the company, which is dedicated to devising original pieces of live performance, has begun a Theatre In Education programme.

Justin, who writes and performs in the productions, said: “We are writing and producing original plays in accordance with the National Youth Association’s statutory guidelines for working with young people.

“We want to deal with topics that are part of young people’s everyday life in Britain today, such as internet safety, drug and alcohol awareness, ethnic equality, teenage pregnancy, health and wellbeing and crime.

“Our shows are a funny, inventive, semi-participatory and thoroughly engaging, educational theatre experience, representative not only of its subject matter, but modern theatre practice itself.”

The company has already built up links with schools in Gloucester but is now hoping to get involved with predominately secondary schools across Shropshire. Its first offering looks at the dangers of using the internet and internet safety for youngsters.

More details are available from the theatre company’s website www.tinshedtheatrecompany.com