A WEST End star and her ruby red slippers followed the yellow brick road back to Cheshire recently, to share tips with some budding stage stars.

Danielle Hope, a former Knutsford Academy student, travelled to Cheadle Hulme School to meet with the cast of the school’s forthcoming production of Oz.

The winner of BBC’s Over the Rainbow held a workshop with the main case members and a one-to-one session with nine-year-old Molly Thompson, the school’s very own Dorothy.

Molly, who remembers seeing Danielle in the West End when she was seven, said: “She’s so nice and made me feel relaxed. It was really fun singing alongside her and it really helped to put myself in her shoes.”

Drawing on her experience in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Wizard of Oz and as Eponine in Les Miserables in the West End, Danielle shared tips in singing, character and movement with the pupils, who stage their production of the show in December.

Danielle, who is due to appear as Snow White in Birmingham this Christmas, said: “It has been really enthusing working with the pupils today.

“I was inspired by their energy and seeing their interpretation of the show. It all looks fantastic and I have no doubt it will be a success.”