YOUNG hopefuls can audition for a part in a stage production with one of the county's most successful youth theatre groups.

Return to the Forbidden Planet is the next offering from Spennymoor Youth Theatre Group, and the chance to take part in the show is still on offer.

The play, which will be performed at Bishop Auckland Town Hall from May 21 to 24, starting at 7.30pm each night, follows the group's recent successful show, Fame.

In November, the group performed their own version of the musical at Spennymoor Leisure Centre. Forty group members subsequently took part in the Young Performers' Variety Show at Her Majesty's Theatre, London.

Auditions for Return to the Forbidden Planet will be held at Tudhoe Grange Comprehensive School's lower site, Durham Road, Spennymoor, on Sunday, February 2, from 9.30am. Anyone wanting to take part and sing hits including Good Vibrations, Great Balls of Fire and Monster Mash, must be in year seven or above, and attend the auditions wearing comfortable clothing and shoes and with a packed lunch.

Those selected for principal or dancing parts will be recalled in the afternoon and all successful applicants will pay £15 towards production costs.