A THEATRE society handed over a cheque for £3,000 to St Teresa's Hospice following a successful ten night run of Grease at the Darlington Civic Theatre.

Darlington Operatic Society treated audiences to a fantastic production of the all-time classic musical which ended on a high with a complete sell-out audience on the final Saturday night performance.

The closing show was attended by society president Peter Barron, Darlington MP Jenny Chapman and Brian Campey, operations manager at St Teresa's Hospice.

The hospice's services cost about £2m per year. Partly funded by grant aid from the NHS, the remainder comes from charitable donations, fundraising events, support from community organisations and businesses, it's own shops and legacies.

Operatic society chairman Julian Cound said: "We have supported St Teresa's Hospice for many, many years and we were delighted to be able to hand over another astounding sum thanks, once again, to the generosity of our audiences."

There is little time for members to rest as the company moves straight into rehearsals for its autumn production of Sister Act.

Based on the 1992 film, Sister Act tells the story of aspiring disco diva Deloris Van Cartier.

Trying to work her way to the top in 1970s Philadelphia, Deloris is in love with a very tough gangster named Curtis.

When Deloris witnesses him commit a murder she ends up in hiding on police orders in a convent which has fallen on bad times.

Mr Cound added: "Tickets are already selling fast for Sister Act and we expect sales to equal those of Grease, so to ensure the best seats in the house it would be advisable to book early."

Sister Act runs at Darlington Civic Theatre from October 22 to November 1.

Tickets are £19 for adults and £14 for children.

Tickets are available by calling 01325-244659 or visiting darlingtonos.org.uk