CHILDREN with learning difficulties are to be treated to a special sensory production of The Tin Soldier.

Hull company Spin-Off Productions will be visiting six schools in Hull with an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale next week.

The play, penned by Hull playwright Morgan Sproxton, is tailored for children with mild to severe and complex learning difficulties.

It will engage all the senses, allowing the children to touch, smell, see, hear and taste their way on a perilous and exciting journey with the tin soldier.

Gerald Fox, who is directing and acting in The Tin Soldier, said: "A lot of theatre that tours schools is made for mainstream primaries and can be experienced by children with mild and severe disabilities as just a lot of noise and movement and confusion. They can see it but it doesn't mean anything to them.

"One of the things we've tried to do, because Spin-Off have worked with children with learning difficulties for many years, is present theatre that is more intimate and engaging and audience- driven.

"The audience can touch the costumes, or hear a sound which means someone is angry or sad.

"They are led into the story through the senses, which means we have to really strip the story down and present it in a quite stylised way."

The touring company will visit Maybury Primary, Bridgeview School, Northcott Special School, Tweendykes School, Frederick Holmes School and Ganton Special School.

Spin-Off's team of three actors and Mr Fox will visit each school for a day to present two interactive performances, for 15 to 20 pupils each.

At the end of the day, the Spin-Off cast will meet teachers to discuss the performances' effectiveness and what teachers feel the children have gained from them, to inform future work.

The project, which is the first of its kind in Hull, is funded by the Arts Council England.

Mr Fox said: "We hope it will really strike a chord with these children.

"All children should have a cultural experience which is accessible for them.

"It isn't enough just to take them to the panto at Hull New Theatre, you need to tailor the performance.

"A lot of the work is about the impact on the individual. It could be something as slight as a child with severe learning difficulties being able to focus their eyes on one thing for a longer period than normal."

The Tin Soldier will also be staged at Hull Truck Theatre on Saturday, March 10.

Mr Fox said: "I hope this play can be enjoyed by any audience."