THEATRICAL youngsters prepared for a forthcoming show by manning a market stall.

Members of Chester-le-Street Theatre Group's junior section were busy on Chester-le-Street's Saturday market selling donated goods.

The section, which has about 50 members aged five to 18, will stage Fame the Musical later this month.

The show, based on the television series, features dancing, and the section needs to buy ten hands-free microphones, which cost £200 each.

June Donald, the section's fundraising and publicity manager, said: "The show is very energetic and there is a lot of dancing and you cannot give the kids the usual hand-held radio microphones.

"We need these headsets, but they are considerably more expensive. We raised just short of £200 with the stall, and we also managed to hand out leaflets about the production."

Fundraising events will include a bag-pack at the town's Iceland store on Saturday, May 15, and a raffle.

Mrs Donald said: "The children are very good and work hard to raise money."

The show, which will feature Alex and Dominic Beebe, from TV's Byker Grove, will be at the Park View Community Association's theatre from Tuesday to Saturday, May 25 to 29, at 7.15pm. There will be a Saturday matinee at 2.15pm.

Tickets are £5 for adults, and £4 for concessions, available by calling 0191-388 3778.