A CRISIS-HIT theatre group is appealing for new members to help keep the show on the road.

The curtain is threatening to fall on the Culcheth Players after 45 years because of falling membership.

The Players have been unable to stage a play since "My Cousin Rachel" in October 2002.

In a desperate bid to find new blood, the group has organised an open meeting for Monday, June 30, at 8pm in Culcheth Sports and Social Club and is leafleting 4000 homes in the Culcheth, Glazebury, Croft and Lowton areas in a recruitment drive.

Spokesman Brenda Forster said: "The committee really hope the appeal will be successful -- the society is well worth saving.

"We used to do three shows a year in October, February and May. This year we decided to skip the February production, then the May play had to be abandoned after the producer was taken ill and members of the cast were forced to pull out because of work commitments.

"Our two long-serving set builders, Ron Butler and George Barrett, who have done a fantastic job, have had to take deserved retirement, but remain life members of the group.

"We have a nucleus of really good people, but we need set designers and builders and back stage personnel too, all who play an integral part in every production, as well as actors and actresses from 15 to 80!"

Anyone interested should go along to the meeting or contact 01942 713012, 07950 055183 or 01925 762640 for further information.