TWO young Oxfordshire women are to star in one of the world's most famous fringe festivals.

Maddie Moate and Katie Birtill, both 20, are part of a new theatre company, Take Note Theatre, which is staging two musicals at the Edinburgh Fringe.

"It's the most exciting thing yet," said Maddie. "We are so proud of what we are doing and on such a well-known stage."

Maddie, whose parents live in Burford Road, Witney, is a former pupil of the town's Henry Box School, and is studying drama at Bristol University.

She performed in all of the school's drama performances while she was there, and was head girl at sixth form. She also attended the Jill Stew School of Dance and Dramascope, both in Witney.

Katie, from Long Crendon, went to school in Aylesbury, but was in the Oxford Girls Choir for 11 years, from the age of seven to 18. She is also in a jazz and soul band, Poinciana.

The two met in their first year at university, and say they share a mutual passion for musical theatre. They have already played at university in one of the two musicals they are performing at Edinburgh, I Love You Your Perfect Now Change, a hit on Broadway.

"The success of the show encouraged us to form our own theatre company, and take not only this performance to the Edinburgh fringe festival, but also a new British musical, Jet Set Go!", said Maddie.

"Our intention is to bring less well-known works to new audiences, as well as encouraging, producing, and developing our own new British musicals."

Their shows go on stage from July 31 to August 25 at the city's George Square Theatre. For more information about Take Note Theatre, visit the website takenotetheatre.co.uk