STARS of the East Lancashire stage enjoyed a night of drama with a difference as the winners of the region's 'Oscars' were revealed.

The National Operatic and Dramatic Association, NODA, awards for the top amateur theatrical performances of the year were presented at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors.

Sweeney Todd proved a cut above the rest as the Todmorden AODS production came out of the gold envelope four times -- with Joanne Gill clinching best actress in a musical, David Gill best actor, Andrew Mitchell sharing best musical direction and the performance claiming best stage management.

The prestigious Lancashire Evening Telegraph Curtain Raiser award was presented to Brian Whittaker, who has played his part in dramatic societies right across East Lancashire for more than 40 years, by assistant editor Nick Nunn.

The thirteenth year of the ceremony was organised by NODA representative Margaret Gillibrand.

The prizewinners were: Best actor in a musical: David Gill, Sweeney Todd, Todmorden AODS; best supporting actor in a musical: Mark Tempest, Oliver, Bacup AODS; best actress in a musical: Joanne Gill, Sweeney Todd, Todmorden AODS; best supporting actress in a musical: Ann Dickinson, Oliver, Bacup AODS.

Best actor in a play: Phil Brown, Out of Order, Rossendale Players; best supporting actor in a play: David Pilkington, Outside Edge, Blackburn Arts Club; best actress in a play: Joan McCann, The Chalk Garden, Blackburn Drama Club; best supporting actress in a play: Dorothy Spencer, Therese Raquin, Burnley Garrick Club.

Best artistic director (musical): Anthony Williams, Closer Than Ever and Oliver, Bacup AODS; best artistic direction (drama): Colin Braidford, Macbeth, Oswaldtwistle Players; best choreography: Sally Hindle, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, St John's Great Marsden AODS; best chorus: Burnley LOS, Mack and Mabel.

Best concert or revue: Colne OS, Around the World in Song; best costume design: Oswaldtwistle Players, Macbeth; best musical direction: Andrew Mitchell, Sweeney Todd, Todmorden AODS, Nick Sanders, Little Shop of Horrors and Closer Than Ever, Bacup AODS.

Best pantomime: Burnley Pantomime Society, Babes in the Wood; best stage design: Oswaldtwistle Players, Macbeth; best stage management: Todmorden AODS, Sweeney Todd; best lighting: Bacup AODS, Closer Than Ever, Mark Tempest; best youth production: Bacup AODS (BYTES), Annie.