Free tickets to a Shakespeare play have been handed out to thousands of students across North London.

Secondary school students from Barnet, Enfield, Harrow and Haringey have been offered tickets to Shakespeare’s Globe in central London to see Othello set in the First World War, created especially for 11 to 18-year-olds.

As part of an annual project from Globe Education at Shakespeare’s Globe, every state secondary school in London and Birmingham is offered free tickets to see a 100-minute long Shakespeare play at the theatre.

More than 550 pupils from schools in Harrow have been offered tickets as part of the project.

Athena Pitsillis, English co-ordinator at Canons High School said: “We at Canons High School have been attending the Globe for over four years now and it is always one of the most exciting times of year for students and staff.

“Shakespeare's Globe always create gripping and exciting productions for the students and they come away with a heightened experience of the theatre, an experience many of them would not have otherwise, as well as a greater understanding of the plays.

“We are delighted that we have been able to take up the offer of free tickets again this year for Othello and we know the trip will be an invaluable experience for our students, allowing them to fully appreciate a play live in performance and contributing to their studies in English.”