TWO members of the Rossendale Players amateur dramatic group have been nominated for the Greater Manchester Drama Federation awards.

The awards cover the 2014/15 season, for which Daniel Starkie, 23, from Baxenden, has been nominated in the Best Actor category for his performance as Private Jim Smith in Early One Morning.

Daniel, who also took a lead role in the Players' production of Willy Russell's Blood Brothers, is hoping to make a career out of acting.

Says Stanley Whittaker, who directed Early One Morning: "Daniel is a very committed and talented young man. His contribution, alongside the rest of the cast and fantastic support from the technical team made it a great production. We are waiting with baited breath for the results."

GMDF adjudicators said Daniel's performance "left the audience reeling". Other comments included "an excellent focused performance and "a super, stirring performance."

Dawn Rowe, from Bacup, has also been nominated as Best Supporting Actress for her comic role as the wide-eyed and naive Aunty Vera in the society's production of Willy Russell's 70s comedy Breezeblock Park, a Keeping Up Appearances-style tale of two sisters trying to outdo each other with their household purchases.

All fingers will be crossed for the results of the awards which will be announced at a glittering presentation ceremony at the Last Drop Hotel, Bromley Cross in Bolton on Saturday, July 11.

The Players have a busy season ahead kicking off from September 26 - October 3 with Agatha Christie's The Unexpected Guest, which will be directed by Christine Durkin. A read-through of the play will take place onWednesday, July 8 at 7.30pm with casting on Tuesday, July 14 at 7.30pm, both in the New Millennium Theatre, Waterfoot. New and prospective members are welcome to attend.

The rest of the season comprises: One for the Road by Willy Russell, November 21 – 28 2015; The Garden Party by Jimmie Chinn, February 6 – 13 2016; The Killing of Sister George by Frank Marcus, April 2 – 9; All My Sons by Arthur Miller, May 28 – June 4.

Readings and castings for these plays will follow in July and August.

If anyone would like to join the Players contact rossendale.players@gmail.com