AN AWARD winning group of young performers has been praised for raising awareness about domestic violence, following a stage show at Stretford Mall.

Members of the Footlights Theatre group performed their self-penned show Invisible, to an audience of shoppers which included Stretford and Urmston MP Kate Green.

The 20-minute performance involved dancing, singing and acting, to illustrate the dangers of ignoring the warning signs and adopting the attitude “it’s nothing to do with me”.

The youngsters, aged 12-15 were given training by Trafford Domestic Abuse Service, and their performance was funded by Trafford Housing Trust.

Afterwards Ms Green described the young performers as “incredibly talented”.

“I certainly hope there is a lesson here for everyone,” she said.

“If you know someone is being subjected to domestic abuse then please say something as it could save a life.

“I am pleased to support the work of Footlights, and their performances bring to life complex issues like domestic violence and help to provoke discussion and awareness of such difficult subjects, especially among young people.”

Stretford Mall shopping centre manager Gareth Wilkins said: “It is a difficult subject but one that needs highlighting. Domestic abuse must not be tolerated in our society.

“We at Stretford Mall are proud to have been able to host this talented group of young performers to get their message across.”

The production was almost entirely the work of the youngsters themselves, who were guided by drama teacher and director Tania Sparke.

But Tania said most of the credit had to go to the members themselves.

“They have done a huge amount of research on the subject and put the whole thing together, having been working on it since January,” she said.

Daisy Nicholson, 15, a member of Footlights for the past four years, said every member had played an equal part in the preparations.

“Domestic abuse is not something that is normally discussed,” she said.