A MUSICAL extravaganza to celebrate the life of an East Lancashire stage star has been organised by friends who want people to "Turn up and sing up for Stan".

Stan Tate died in January after more than 50 years of entertaining local audiences in musicals, pantomimes, comedies, plays and minstrel shows.

A two-night show is due to be held at Blackburn's Thwaites Theatre next month to pay tribute to Stan's memory.

Friend Terry Barber, who organised the show with Brian Whittaker, said: "We want this show to reflect the joy and happiness that Stan's many years on the amateur stage represented."

The show will feature many of the variety man's favourite shows and songs. Stan's former colleagues and companions from societies and clubs, of which he served as an actor and director, are due to present it.

Mr Barber said proceeds would be donated to a fund to pay for a new balcony at the Aqueduct Road theatre.

"Stan's wife Marian and his family, who shared his love of the stage, wanted any donations to go to the theatre as he was one of the original group who started the Empire Theatre Trust almost 30 years ago", Mr Barber added.

For more information and for tickets priced £7/£6 contact 01254 680137.