The first stage of a project to research the history and traditions of the region's seaside theatre kicks off this week.A team of young people will be visiting venues from Hunstanton in west Norfolk to Frinton in Essex to research the history of seaside theatres, and speak to the stars and audiences.

The first stage of a project to research the history and traditions of the region's seaside theatre kicks off this week.

A team of young people will be visiting venues from Hunstanton in west Norfolk to Frinton in Essex to research the history of seaside theatres, and speak to the stars and audiences.

The �25,000 year-long scheme, led by Sheringham Little Theatre, is being run by a trio of teenagers, calling themselves the SAS - the Seaside Arts Society.

Their team will be raiding theatre towns this summer, resulting in an exhibition and film which will also tour the region, and give presentations to schools.

This Friday a new website tracking the scheme's progress will be launched.

The SAS leaders Eleanor Hicks, Neil Robertson and James Sadler will keep a diary and take photographs, which they will add to a blog on the site.

Local commuinities are being encouraged to join the scheme to help with the research work, which is supported by the Norfolk Museums Service.

At Sherimgham the work will feature the 50th anniversary of seaside repertory theatre with local young people invited to attend master classes run by leading professional celebrity directors, including stage and screen stars Desmond Barrit and Nicky Henson.

Little Theatre director Debbie Thompson hoped the website would eventually grow to include other theatre-led youth schemes.

"I am delighted that this project will give young people the opportunity to research the rich heritage of our seaside theatres and I think the website will be a great way for people of all ages to see the results of the commitment and enthusiasm of the SAS team," she said.

To find out more about the Seaside Arts Society project visit www.sltyp.com