A NEW theatre company dedicated to children aged six to 18 is opening in Preston next month.

GHi is an ambitious project being run by the Guild Hall, and local theatre group Imagine! Productions.

Together the organisations hope to run about ten workshops a year, attracting hundreds of youngsters from the region.

At each workshop, the group will learn and rehearse songs around a different theme -- ideas include Disney and a circus. Then, the same night, they will put on a show in the Guild Hall.

Andy Vitolo, artistic director at Imagine! said: "We already produce musicals with the Charter Theatre. But the Guild Hall has never had its own youth company.

"This will present a good opportunity for the children that they have never had before."

The first two workshops are set to run on October 27 and 28, with a Disney theme. Around 350 to 500 children are expected to sign up and it's first come first served.

Entry forms can be picked up from the Guild Hall Box Office. For more information ring 01772 258858.