A POPULAR amateur dramatics group will be returning to take centre stage at Stanley Civic Hall this year after securing a welcome funding boost.

Stanley Starz, which provides young people with the opportunity to learn and perform musical theatre, has secured a £1,660 grant from Stanley Town Council’s Strategic Grant Fund towards the cost of its next production which will take place in May.

The funding has been used to purchase make-up, costumes and vital technical equipment that will help sustain the future of the group and allow it to continue running its weekly classes and staging its twice-yearly productions at Stanley Civic Hall.

Chairwoman Mary Telford, who has been part of Stanley Starz for 40 years, said: “As a not-for-profit organisation we rely solely on grants and fundraising activities to survive and we can’t thank Stanley Town Council enough for its continued support.

“I’ve been with Stanley Starz for 40 years now as has my daughter, Sharon.

“We have seen first-hand just how much these groups mean, not only to the kids, but also the wider community who continue to support us and attend our shows.

“This funding will not only help fund our spring performance next year, which will see us perform a parody of ‘Into the Woods’, but will also help us invest in the technical equipment we need for future shows, sustaining our future for a further 12 months. Their support has been amazing.”