WHAT was just a fleeting idea six years ago now consumes up to 20 hours of Phil Gibson's day.

The painter and decorator has teamed up with another unlikely Lancaster lad, kitchen porter Geoff Houghton, to write, produce, direct and star in their very own Broadway-style musical.

And on September 19 the curtains will go up at The Grand Theatre for the premier of For Love or Money - an all singing, all dancing modern day love story.

In the meantime it's all systems go to get everything ready for the opening night.

"I've been in panic mode for the last fortnight," said Phil, who is musical director to a 15 piece orchestra as well as playing the lead role.

"I'm putting in up to 20 hours a day at the moment as rehearsals get under way. I nearly fell on the floor when we gave the story to Red Rose and they said they said they'd do it. But it's been very interesting watching our ideas come to life and seeing other people's interpretations of the dialogue and songs. It's a full length production with 26 songs and after all the work we've put in we just hope the public will come along to see it."

For Love or Money is about a character called Sam, a bar room pianist whose love for a girl is frustrated at every turn by her millionaire father.

It poses that age old question - is it love or money which makes the world go round?

"I was sat about bored one day when the story came to me," added Phil, "I wrote it up and gave it to Geoff who came back with lyrics for different bits and pieces. Both of us work full time so it's taken six and a half years to get this far but we're both very excited. We've both been involved in amateur dramatics for a long time. I've been involved with the music for Red Rose for 14 years and Geoff has played a variety of leading roles over 25 years. We recently performed excerpts from the show at the North West Area Millennium Awards and, although it is never easy performing in front of your peers, the response was extremely favourable. If the general public can be persuaded to come and support two local lads we think they'll be pleasantly surprised."

For Love or Money will run from September 19 to 23 at the Grand Theatre Lancaster. Tickets can be bought from the box office on 64695 from August 24.