HIGH standards made for a difficult task for judges at a North-East drama festival.

Nine groups from across the region took part in the annual Saltburn Drama Festival, in east Cleveland. The roll of honour was: Best Production - The Dark Lady of the Sonnets, by Saltburn 53 Drama Group, directed by Martin Gibbons; Best Actress - Kate Staines, Allerton Players; Best Actor - James Harris, Saltburn 53 Drama Group; Best Supporting Role - David Simpson, Durham Dramatic Society; Audience Award - Statement Drama Company; Best Cameo - Laura Mudd, Middlesbrough Little Theatre Juniors; Youth Award - Spectrum Six; Best Individual Youth - Luke Jameson; Adjudicators Award - Centre Stage, Shildon. Commendations were awarded to Rachael Lightfoot and Owen Scrivens from Saltburn 53 Drama Group.