That's the message to Blackpool's youth at the launch of the Paul Nicholas community arts project at North Pier Theatre.

Youngsters who had spent six weeks learning to rap at Thornton Little Theatre were among the star performers at the hour long launch of the project.

A similar free project will be kicking-off at Devonshire Primary school, on Caunce Street, in Blackpool, in around four weeks time.

The aim of the scheme is to boost the confidence of children by giving them the opportunity to develop musical or acting abilities.

It is hoped the project will stem anti-social behaviour.

Actor Paul Nicholas, who shot to fame in 1980s sitcom Just Good Friends, visited the resort to launch the project.

He said: "We offer kids a variety of activities, including drama, rapping, MC'ing, singing.

"It helps the kids who are out of the mainstream and gives them some building blocks so they can get some confidence.

"It is not easy for kids to stand up on the stage to perform. The kids on stage had only been rapping for six weeks. These kids were very disinterested at the start and getting them out there for this audience was wonderful."

The project, which has been endorsed by new London mayor Boris Johnson, will take place alongside work at existing Paul Nicholas acting schools across the Fylde.

Coun Ron Bell, who represents Talbot ward, secured £14,000 of community funding to bring the project to Blackpool.

He said: "I got this idea when I went to Manchester three months ago and saw it taking off there.

"I thought it had to come to Blackpool and it there has been a lot of hard work not just by myself but people in the background.

"To see what these kids have achieved and what the Blackpool children could achieve, which I believe could be even better, was fantastic."

Children can get a taste of the project by turning-up at Thornton Little Theatre, on Victoria Road East, from 5.30pm every Tuesday. The classes last for three hours.