THE Kids From Fame have got nothing on the lads and lasses from Consett if the latest production by Consett Theatre Workshop Junior Group is anything to go by.

The well-known theatre group will present Irving Berlin tribute musical The Melody Lingers On at the Consett Empire.

The musical has hardly been performed in Britain since it was developed at one of the US's internationally renowned "fame" schools, Trinity School in New York

"It's got all the Irving Berlin classics like Putting On The Ritz and Heatwave and Easter Parade and there's a story running through it as well," said long-time theatre workshop organiser Margaret Darroch.

"The show was only developed at the Trinity School in 1996, but has hardly ever been shown in the UK.

"We've 45 youngsters involved belting out great, great songs, it's a real cracker."

The Consett Theatre Workshop Junior Group was in financial difficulties earlier this year, but was saved when the community rallied round after the story appeared in The Northern Echo.

The Melody Lingers On will be at the Empire from Monday, June 17 to Wednesday, June 19. Tickets cost £3 and are available on (01207) 505619.