THE chance of a place in the spotlight proved irresistible to dance-mad youngsters from across the North-East.

More than 200 boys and girls, accompanied by their parents, turned up at the Empire Theatre, Sunderland, for a chance to dance in the pantomime Peter Pan, which stars Brian Blessed and Kirsten O'Brien.

Usually, the theatre calls on local dance schools, but decided this year to hold an open audition to find the 16 youngsters needed .

Producer Brian Stead said: "This is the fifth year we have done this show and it never fails to amaze me how talented the young people are - and Sunderland is no exception to that.

"The children are very good at what they are doing and are very patient with us, the judges, as we had to discuss at some length who to leave out - such was the standard of dancing."

Director and choreographer Lorretta Legge said: "This was a pretty tough ordeal for all of the dancers.

"We had to choose a final batch, but it was not easy.

"We not only had to look at how well they danced, but whether they fitted the part on offer."

The 16 youngsters will perform in teams of four every four days.

The production opens on Friday, December 21. For details, call the box office on 0191-514 2517.