YOUNG Eastleigh actors were celebrating this week after making it all the way to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival - just three months after a suspected arson attack destroyed their scenery and props.

Thanks to sponsorship from an Eastleigh property firm, Eastleigh Borough Youth theatre is performing its play Graham - The World's Fastest Blind Man every night this week at the prestigious international arts festival.

But the group has had to overcome enormous adversity to achieve its dream.

In May, thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused to the theatre's scenery and props after a suspected arson attack on a farmhouse building, used as a store by the theatre, in Bishopstoke.

But, thanks to a £3,000 sponsorship deal with Uppa Class Property Services in Eastleigh, the group has finally made it.

"Uppa Class Property Services are certainly giving our young people an amazing opportunity. Taking a play to the Fringe is a dream come true for us," said theatre administrator Christine Farleigh.

The play, premiered earlier this year in Eastleigh, tells the true story of blind athlete Graham Salmon, who overcame his disability to achieve incredible feats on the track.

"The play is inspirational - Graham was an amazing man," said Christine.

"We are all very excited. This will be a wonderful experience for us."

After the fire which swept through the old farmhouse building, off East Drive, youth theatre chiefs vowed that the show would still go on despite losing scenery, including a stage version of a race track.

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival performance is another milestone success for the award-winning theatre group which is based at The Point, Eastleigh.

Their spectacular version of the story of The Titanic - the epic story of the ill fated Southampton liner - was given a big boost when it hit London's West End.

For more information about the youth theatre, call Christine Farleigh after August 14 on 023 8062 7806.