REHEARSALS are under way for a production of the Sound of Music after a youth group scored a massive victory over theatre bosses to get the show on the stage.

Brunshaw Action Group's production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic was suddenly left hanging in the balance when all the rights to perform it were withdrawn because of the BBC1 reality television show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?

The Saturday night programme saw auditions across the length and breadth of the country in a bid to fill the lead role for the musical in London's West End.

And to prevent taking any attention away from the show, all other productions in Britain were banned - standard practice whenever a show is staged at the West End.

But the Burnley performances, which are due to hit the stage in January, were given a special reprieve after desperate e-mails to Josef Weinberger Ltd, who own the rights of the production in America.

Michael Bailey, project manager of Brunshaw Action Group, said: "Rehearsals are going really well for the production.

"We decided we wanted to do it and we went through all the right procedures to get the rights but they refused because of this programme going on in the West End.

"We couldn't understand how a small organisation like ours putting on the show would be able to affect a massive performance in London. It's only a junior production after all.

"But because we're an action group set up to cut out juvenile nuisance and work with disadvantaged and disabled kids across the Pennine area, we've been allowed it."

The production, which will involve more than 150 volunteers from actors and actresses to costume designers and box office workers, will be made even more special because it will involve audience participation with members of the crowd invited to dress as nuns, soldiers and other characters.

The productions take place on January 5 at 7.30pm and Saturday January 6 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm at Burnley Youth Theatre, Queens Park Road. Adults £4.50 Concessions. £3.75