THE Octagon Theatre is looking for young stars to help it kick off 2018.

Bolton's biggest theatre will be starting the new year with an adaption of Jane Eyre.

Charlotte Bronte’s masterpiece has been adapted for the stage by Lorna French and will be directed by Elizabeth Newman.

For this production the Octagon is looking for six young people to make up two teams of two girls and one boy, who will be needed to help bring the story to life.

Youngsters have a chance to star as the younger version of the title heroine Jane or her bullying cousin John Reed.

The other role has been created as part of the adaption, with the theatre looking for a girl to play the younger version of Mr Rochester's 'mad' wife Bertha, in a plot line yet to be revealed.

Ms Newman has previously worked with young companies on To Kill a Mockingbird and the Octagon’s community summer project The Railway Children.

She said: "Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre is a beautiful story about tenderness, honesty and strength of spirit, and we are all delighted to be bringing a new adaptation of this classic to life here in Bolton with Lorna French.

"We feel that in order to capture the innocence and bold spirit of the characters in Jane Eyre we need young people to bring energy, enthusiasm, and their own spirit into our rehearsal room and our auditorium.

"They will breathe life into some of the most integral characters in the story, and I can’t wait to work with them."

The story follows young penniless and alone Jane as she emerges from a bleak childhood to make her way in life as a governess.

At Thornfield Hall, she falls in love with her mysterious employer Mr Rochester – however, he is hiding a terrible secret that could ruin everything.

The young girls will need to have the playing age of 10 and the boys will need to have the playing age of 14.

In order to audition, the young people must be between the ages of 9 and 15. The two teams will perform on alternate nights. No experience is required, but the young people auditioning must like dancing.

Auditions will be held at the Octagon Theatre Bolton on September 23 from 2pm to 3pm.