CHILDREN at the Gaer Infant and Nursery School are set to star in an episode of the BBC’s Torchwood.

Around 40 excited pupils, from years five and six, took part in a two-hour filming session for the Doctor Who spin-off show in the school’s playground on Thursday morning.

First aired in 2005, Torchwood centres around the activities of the Cardiff branch of the Torchwood Institute, which deals with extraterrestrial incidents.

John Barrowman stars as Captain Jack Harkness, a time traveller and former con-man from the 51st century, who leads the Torchwood team.

The Newport pupils got to see at first hand what its like working on a TV set and had to took part in a training session on Wednesday afternoon, when the assistant director talked through their actions in the scene.

Head teacher Marilyn Beddle wouldn’t say a word about the story line, saying: “I can’t reveal anything, but it’s going to be amazing.”

Mrs Beddle said she was really pleased with the children’s patient behaviour during the filming and said the film crew had been very complimentary of them.

She said the filming was a fantastic experience for the children and believes there are some future stars at the school.

The episode is due to be aired in March.

DID YOU KNOW...

  • The team’s fictional headquarters are in the heart of Cardiff Bay in Roald Dahls Plass
  • “Torchwood” is an anagram of “Doctor Who”
  • Produced by BBC Wales and created by Russel T Davies, Torchwood series three is due to hit screens in 2009 PANEL Gwent has strong links with bother Torchwood and Doctor Who.

In Novermber 2005 Eveswell actress Lucy Lutman landed the role as Bille Piper's double in Doctor Who.

Bettws actor Gareth David Lloys won the role of a lifetime in May 2006 when he was picked to star in Torchwood as Ianto, the receptionist at the Cardiff branch of Torchwood.

St Woolos Cemetery was overrun with Cybermen in April this year when the BBC filmed a winter-themed episode of Doctor Who.