Students from Beaminster and Colfox School took part in a script-writing project this week.

Scriptwriter Paul Dodgson worked with four students from each school, writing and recording two short radio plays. Starting with a simple story idea based on Little Red Riding Hood, the students developed the plot and characters.

Paul, who has directed and produced more than 400 programmes for BBC radio, and whose screenwriting credits include 18 months as part of the BBC Eastenders writing team, said: “It has been really exciting to work with a group of talented young people with no preconceptions about radio drama.

“They have been imaginative, creative and quick to learn. In reimagining Little Red Riding Hood, the participants found what was at the heart of the story and made it their own.”

Tackling the writing of the script as a collaborative process, the students worked together to plan, draft, rewrite and refine their texts before going into the recording studio located at Bridport Youth Centre to record their plays.

Colfox head of English Adam Teasdale said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for students to experience writing as a truly collaborative venture. They have been writing for a real audience, and producing work that will be made available to anyone who wants to listen.

“The skills that the students have been refining with Paul are useful across the curriculum. I can’t wait to hear the results.”

The plays are currently being edited. If readers want to hear an updated, 21st century take on Little Red Riding Hood, podcasts will be made available on the schools’ websites and at bridport-arts.com