Pegasus Theatre, in East Oxford, is hoping to get hundreds of youngsters singing, dancing and acting for its annual summer programme.

For the first time this year, the Summer Village scheme, at the Magdalen Road venue, which provides low-cost activities for people aged six to 19, will be running for three weeks, thanks to a grant from BMW, which has allowed organisers to extend and broaden the scheme.

Yasmin Sidhwa, head of education at Pegasus, said: "We are really keen to do more for young people in the summer holidays."

The first week, from July 28 to August 1, consists of open taster sessions offering everything from contemporary dance, jamming, set design, singing and mask-making.

In the second week, from August 4 to 8, professionals from the theatre will be running an outreach programme, taking activities out to different centres.

Ms Sidhwa said: "We are calling it 'Holiday Fun in the Hood'.

"If people can't come to us, we are going to go to particular groups that may not be able to access our arts activities."

Sessions are planned at the Donnington Doorstep and Cutteslowe community centres and Blackbird Leys and St Ebbe's schools.

Also running at the same time will be a dance summer school, which is open to those aged between 13 and 19, run by Menelva Harry, of the Gelede Dance Company.

People completing the course will be considered for a place in a new youth dance company being established at the theatre.

The final week will be a street theatre project, from August 11 to 15.

Children will learn street acting tricks and techniques from outdoor theatre company Electric Cabaret, before working in small groups with professional artists to come up with their own street theatre performance - before taking it into the streets of Oxford, both in the city centre and as part of the Elder Stubbs Festival, which takes place on Saturday, August 16.

Ms Sidhwa said: "We are giving people who want to do only one thing that chance, but if they are really keen, they can do a whole week of activities."

Louis Rogers, 13, who lives off Iffley Road, took part in the summer programme both last and the previous year - and will be doing it again this year.

He said: "It was really fun last year. I have been for the past two years and every time I have had a really good time.

"I have definitely learned stuff about performing and acting skills as well as having lots of fun and meeting people. I'm looking forward to it."