Oxford's New Theatre has defended a policy to charge the parents of children taking part in a "stage experience".

The George Street theatre is expecting up to 1,000 children to turn up on Saturday to audition for parts in Bugsy Malone, which will be staged at the theatre in August, following an intensive two-and-a-half week rehearsal.

But Yarnton mother-of-two Becki Miller, who had hoped both her children could audition for roles, said she was shocked to discover she would have to pay three-figure sums for her children to take part if their auditions were successful.

Mrs Miller said: "I was a bit disappointed to read the small print that it was going to cost £120 for each of them, especially when you think there are 300 children needed.

"I think it's unfair to charge that amount. I will not be taking them for the audition now because I cannot justify paying that sort of money."

She said she had been particularly interested in the show after her son, Cameron, who is 12, caught the acting bug taking part in the Oxfordshire Gang Show - for which he did not have to pay.

Mrs Miller added: "I do understand it costs a lot to put on, but we are talking about £36,000 if there was £120 from each of the children - and I think it is a bit extreme."

New Theatre spokesman Joel Barnett said he believed the New Theatre Stage Experience was value for money.

He said it was necessary to hire everything from costumes to lighting to put on the show - the total cost of which was in the region of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Mr Barnett said: "Our costs are significant and we have no outside funding.

"The cost of participating is in line with other stage experiences around the country and in some cases, far cheaper than other venues.

"The stage experience is equivalent to having your child supervised by Criminal Records Bureau checked and licensed chaperones, from 70p an hour."

He said a discount was available for families with more than one child cast in the show or where parents were chaperoning.

Mr Barnett said ticket costs were kept low so families could see their children on the stage and said: "The main aim for us is to break even.

"This isn't a profit-making experience for us - the whole idea is to get kids to go on the stage but we have to cover our costs.

"If we do make a profit, it will go to reduce costs next year."

More than 80 applications have already been received by the theatre.

More information about auditioning for Bugsy Malone is available at newtheatreoxford.org.uk