A THEATRE group has pulled out all the stops for its £75,000 performance of a hit musical.

Members of amateur operatic group West End Operatic Society have spared no expense on their production of Annie Get Your Gun.

The show's backdrop was commissioned from Scene Setters, on the Tanfield Lea industrial estate, near Stanley, and £500 of its budget was spent on wigs from a Southampton company.

Dorothy Coleman, from the group, said: "Because there are two men in the production that have to have long hair, we really thought we had to spend a lot of money to get the best professional wigs. It has been such a transformation."

Husband and wife, Chris and Lynn Richardson, from Sacriston, will play the lead roles of Annie and Frank Butler, and will be joined by their son, Kyle. Buffalo Bill will be played by Michael Green, from Chester-le-Street.

The production is at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle from Monday to Saturday, April 12, at 7pm, with 2pm matinees on the Thursday and Saturday. For tickets, call 0870 905 5060.