Two best friends with over 20 years of performing arts experience are launching a new drama school for children next month.

Angela Procopiou, from Barnet, and Helen Wint, from Palmers Green, will be the principals of iTheatre Arts based at Epping Primary School in Coronation Hill, Epping.

The duo are welcoming aspiring performers aged four to 16 their first session for free where they will learn acting, dancing and singing.

Angela Procopiou said her and Ms Wint will lead the drama classes together and be head of dancing and singing respectively.

She said: “We are so excited as we both love what we do, but to be best friends as well going into business together is really exciting.”

The two women have been friends since childhood and both attended the North London Dance Studio to obtain their performing arts diplomas.

Since then, Ms Procopiou has been running a successful dance club called iDance UK Performing Arts in Enfield for over ten years teaching, around 300 youngsters a week.

Ms Wint on the other hand was a finalist to represent the UK in the 2018 Eurovision song contest with girl group 'Goldstone'.

“We have always wanted to do some together but we’ve not been in the same place,” explained Ms Procopiou. “We decided to be based in Epping because its somewhere we’d go to have coffee often and such a lovely area.

“It went from a little seed of an idea and realised there was a gap in the market in Epping and took it from there.”

As part of the iTheatre Arts programme, the friends are hoping to run a professional workshop each term for kids to learn tips and advice from actors.

Casualty actress Genesis Lynea will be the first teacher hoping to encourage acting hopefuls their confidence, performing and communication skills.

“On the launch day anyone that signs up gets a goody bag including their uniform, folder for song sheets and scripts and a string bag to put their snacks in,” added Ms Procopiou.

“We are looking to do Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for our Christmas show.”

iTheatre Arts officially opens on Sunday, April 28 from 10am -1pm, visit itheatrearts.co.uk for more information.