AN amateur youth group is celebrating after being awarded nearly £5,000 from the National Lottery Awards for All.

Rossendale Amateur Youth Society was started 11 years ago by members of Rossendale Amateur Operatic Society (RAYS) Derek Russell and Geoff Jackson to try to get younger children interested in joining the seniors.

Geoff found himself playing the role of teenagers despite being in his 40s and so it was time to get the youth interested in drama!

Now the group, which meets and stages its performances at Haslingden Public Hall, has been able to buy new sound equipment with its national lottery award and set up a sister group for former members called X-rays.

Chairman Dave Mangham said: "In times when we are constantly reading in our papers about youths causing problems in our area it is pleasing to know that much needed money is being channelled towards some of our good local talented children in order for them to develop acting, singing and dancing skills and continually bring excellent, cheap, entertainment to the area.

"Although this money falls some way short of the amount we could really do with. It goes some way to assisting us to produce much more professional shows even though we are unpaid amateurs.

"It has also given us the opportunity to start a new group X-rays comprising some of out former members and friends who have had to, sadly, leave the society because of university commitments.

"The aim is for their shows to be performed in mid-September with intensive rehearsals through the summer before the students return to university.

"If our first show Little Shop of Horrors is a success then who knows what the future may bring. We are a non-profit making society and normally only rely on our box office receipts to keep us going so we need you, the public of Rossendale, to continue coming and supporting our shows."

Tickets for the Little Shop of Horrors, on from September 12 to 14 are available on 01706 213423. RAYS will also be producing Annie from November 27 to 30.