CREATIVE costumes and stage combat have helped youngsters bring history to life over the summer holidays.

Charity group OYAP – which supports young people in Oxfordshire – hosted the Horrid History project to get youngsters dressing up and acting out history.

It was one of a number of summer activities celebrating the charity’s 10th anniversary and was being supported by Bicester Village.

Among those taking part was 10-year-old Ruby Simmons from Bicester, who played a mummy in an Egyptian play.

Ruby said: “I am enjoying making costumes and masks for our Horrid History plays and have found it interesting learning about the Vikings, Egyptians and Romans.”

The youngsters were taught stage combat to create the illusion of fights and stage make-up to recreate their own version of historic events.

Other activities have included creating music videos in a ‘You Tubes’ music and film masterclass, a sculpture and ‘Star Warz’ film and sound project.

The Bicester-based trust also held a Spectrum Youth Theatre for youngsters to get stuck into exploring different stories and characters to create a final stage performance.

The team at OYAP Trust, previously known as Oxfordshire Youth Arts Partnership, has been celebrating its 10th anniversary. The trust, which was based in Abingdon until 2007, has made its home at the youth arts centre at The Courtyard, Launton Road.