HUNDREDS of show-goers were left shaking in the balcony as noise and vibrations from roadworks threatened to ruin a dance show.

The Thwaites Empire Theatre, Aqueduct Road, Blackburn, was forced to turn up its sound system to drown out the racket made by council workmen.

A big digger, pneumatic drill and trucks moved in as the show was due to start on Thursday.

Council bosses have said the work was essential and was done at night to minimise disruption.

Shocked theatre manager, Michael Berry, claimed the work had been changed because of Blackburn Rovers' game with Watford on Wednesday.

With a full house of 350 people and 104 youngsters set to take to the stage Dancefusion 2007 from the Blackburn-based Bernese School of Theatre Dance, he said he did not want to cancel the two and a half hour show.

Mr Berry said: "Mums and dads, aunties and uncles had travelled to watch the show.

"The roadworks had caused traffic problems because the lights had been changed. The workers came at 6.50pm to do roadworks outside the theatre and our show started at 7pm.

"I asked if they could reschedule and they said they had already been postponed from the day before because of the Blackburn Rovers match.

"We reached an agreement they would start work further away so the show could continue."

"It was like we were holding a Queen tribute not a dance show, the music was that loud."

Adam Scott from Blackburn with Darwen Council, declined to answer allegations the work's dates had been changed but said: "The work has been necessary to replace the signal cables which were found to be unsafe. Night work was undertaken to ensure minimal disruption to the flows on the A666 and was discussed with the manager of the theatre."