WEST End stars wished aspiring actors in Bolton good luck as they took to the stage for their school production.

The cast of Les Miserables, which is currently showing at the Queen's Theatre, sent a video message to the young stars of St James' High School who have staging the musical all week.

Danny Whitehead, starring in the hit production in London, says: "Hello from all of us here in Les Miserables in the West End.

"We want to wish St James' High School the very best of luck."

The cast are then seen cheering and wishing the pupils good luck.

Danny, a former St Joseph's RC High School pupil in Horwich, is the nephew of Mandy Whitehead a member of staff at St James's CE High School in Farnworth.

He has starred in a number of West End production, including Wicked.

The video was played to the young cast at school.

Mason Ernill, in Year Seven, who is playing Gavroche, said: "It was very amazing how a school in Bolton was recognised by a massive group of actors in the West End."

Fellow actor Amber Burns, also in Year Seven, who is playing the part of Madame Thernardier, added: "It was really cool because they’d taken time to appreciate the way we are doing it and we are proud of ourselves."

Les Miserables is the most ambitious production staged by the school.

Johanna Hassouna-Smith, Director of Spirit Theatre Company who directed the school production, said: "This is the biggest show we’ve ever done and we felt that after five years of doing school shows at St James’ we were ready to tackle the challenge of Les Misérables.

"It’s been a hard slog and six months of intensive rehearsals but I couldn’t be prouder of the cast, crew and musicians."

Tania Lewyckyj, headteacher, added: "I have been amazed by the talent in our school at taking on such a complex production. The staff and pupils, under Johanna Hassouna-Smith, have produced a brilliant show that would be fit for the West End!

"This has been a great team effort, with over 100 pupils and staff involved, and will be a production to remember."

Mrs Whitehead said that the show was a hit with the audience, who spoke about how much they enjoyed it.

She said: "Danny has worked hard, and every since he was young, he always wanted to appear in Les Miserables.

"The young people in the show were absolutely amazing."

Visit The Bolton News website to see the West End stars which pupils 'good luck'.