ROLE models are an important part of growing up - but in today's celebrity obsessed society young people are aspiring to what some say are the wrong kind of people.

For many teenagers the likes of Coleen McLoughlin, Peaches Geldof or the Beckhams are high on the list of idols.

But at one Worcester school, students seem to have higher aspirations and say they would rather be noticed for their talents rather than their celebrity antics.

Pupils at Bishop Perowne CofE College took time out from performing their school play, Macbeth, to reflect on who they look up to.

"I don't think WAGs are very good role models for young girls," said 15-year-old Emma Young. "They are just famous for who they are married to or going out with. I would much rather be famous for my talents and achievements."

Emma, who has been playing Lady Macbeth in the school's show, and friends Jade Moore, 15, Kate Gaskins, 14 and Ruby Field, 15, the three witches, all want to be actresses. Although fame and fortune is an attractive prospect for these young girls, they insist they are motivated soley by their love for drama.

"I don't want to be an actress just to be famous," says Kate. "I just love the buzz you get when you are on stage. I'm not all that bothered about being famous."

The girls say they aspire to be actresses such as Nicole Kidman rather than Pamela Anderson, who is known for many reasons other than her acting ability. And WAGs such as Alex Curran, wife of Steven Gerrard, or Victoria Beckham, are not the kind of people they look up to, they say.

"There are lots of girls who just want to marry someone rich and be famous for doing nothing," says Jade. "I would much rather be remembered for what I did than who I was married to."

A recent survey by the Institute of Engineering and Technology showed that 91 per cent of women believe the lifestyles of WAGs are over-exposed and portray a negative image of women. The research suggests more than two-thirds of women feel the focus on WAG exploits, their body image and expensive bling' overshadows the real achievements of more positive role models such as Dame Kelly Holmes, JK Rowling and Ellen MacArthur. And nearly three-quarters of those surveyed were concerned that WAGs offer inappropriate models for young girls.

"I know a lot of girls who would love to be WAGs," says Ruby. "They are always in the magazines and on the TV. But I think they should be concentrating on people who have actual talents."

But it is not just girls who have dreams of becoming rich and famous. Many young boys today are aspiring to the lifestyles of footballers, such as David Beckham, or pop stars like Robbie Williams.

Fifteen-year-old Josh O'Connor and 14-year-old Chris Collins said they thought they were in the minority of their classmates for not wanting to be famous.

"I really admire people like Mel Gibson, Ewan McGregor and Dustin Hoffman," says Josh. "They are rich and famous, but for their talents and I think that is a good thing."

Chris says: "There are lots of lads at school who want to be great footballers, which is good if that's what they love and are good at. But I think a lot of them just want the lifestyle really."

Head of drama at Bishop Perowne, John Plant, said he was pleased his students had realistic aspirations and said students were encouraged to look to positive role models.