ONE of the country's leading theatre companies is to make another visit to Northallerton next year.

Tickets for the Royal Shakespeare Company's visit to the town's leisure centre will go on sale next week - and staff are expecting them to disappear soon afterwards.

The company is making its fifth visit to the town since 1991 and last year's production of The Tempest was sold out within weeks

This time it will be putting on two plays - The Merry Wives of Windsor and Coriolanus - during its week-long residence in the town next February.

"There is a real Shakespeare buzz about the leisure centre," said spokesman Richard Dowson.

"This tour is a real treat for Hambleton, helping to put Northallerton on the map.

"Having such a great show come to us is fantastic and saves people travelling all the way to Stratford, London or Newcastle to see this high-quality theatre."

The box office opens on Saturday and tickets are priced £20 per show. Those wishing to see both shows can have two tickets for the reduced rate of £36.

Concessions will be available for matinee performances only. To book call in at the leisure centre or ring (01609) 777070.