A PAIR of young writers from Culcheth College have taken their first 'Steps' on the road to fame and fortune.

Aspiring journalists Darren Jaundrill, of Newton-le-Willows, and Jane Bloomfield, of Culcheth, who are both aged 17, have plans to interview the poptastic chart-toppers later this year.

The budding reporters, who edit the college newspaper, were due to interview the group, protegees of Warrington music-maker Pete Waterman, at a concert at the MEN Arena in Manchester, but Steps' gruelling schedule of public appearances meant that they ran too late to do the interview.

"We were very disappointed not to meet Steps," said Jane, "but we are hoping to do a follow-up in February or March."

Instead, the pair had the chance to grill the arena's director of operations about his work and went backstage at the massive venue.

"I want to get into performing arts as a career," said Jane, "so it was really interesting to find out what goes on behind the scenes."

Darren added: "He was a really interesting man and has invited us back.

"He told us he likes to see young journalists coming up, especially as they are less probing and ask more general questions."

While Jane is a relative newcomer to the world of journalism, Darren already has a few high-profile interviews under his belt from his work on a newsletter at his last school. These include Bobby Charlton, Tony Blair and John Major.

As the new term starts, Jane, Darren and their colleagues are gathering a team of keen writers together to take the Culcheth News into the new year.