THE Millies are set to return after last year's successful awards night for all the North West amateur theatre groups.

Last year East Lancashire societies picked up more awards than any other region and National Operatic and Dramatic Association organisers have now decided to make it an annual event during the first May Bank Holiday.

The event will start on Sunday, May 6, at the De Vere Hotel, Blackpool, with a trade fair followed in the evening by the banquet, cabaret and awards. On Monday, workshops will be held on chorus choreography, lighting and sound. The cost for the two days, including bed and breakfast, the banquet and Sunday lunch, is £75, or £25 for the banquet alone. Tickets are already on sale. To book, write to John Owen, 32 St Asaph Road, The Willows, Great Sutton, Ellesmere Port, CH66 2GP.

St John Southworth Theatre Group's version of the nativity "Follow the Star" is now on show at the Vaughan Street social centre, Nelson. The production includes a rescued donkey from the Horses and Ponies Protection Association's sanctuary at Briercliffe. The show runs until Saturday, January 27, at 7.30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. For tickets contact 01282 616440.

Rossendale Players' next production is the acclaimed play "My Mother Said I Never Should", and will open next week. Set in Oldham, Manchester and London, the play covers the relationships between four generations of women and has been a hit on both sides of the Atlantic. The show runs from February 3 to 10 at the New Millennium Theatre, Waterfoot. Tickets cost £5 or £4 and are available by calling 01706 228720, and from Bacup News, Bacup, Watts News, Waterfoot, and Rawtenstall Tourist Information Centre.