FEEL LIKE acting up in public? Dramatic souls are being invited to register now for Blackpool's first AmDramSlam -- a week long festival of amateur theatre taking place in the town next June.

Companies wanting to perform at Blackpool's Grand Theatre during the festival should apply now to organisers, who need to know which groups are interested by the end of October.

Ian Lamond, Blackpool's festivals development officer, said: "Through discussions with the Grand Theatre we have been offered the main house stage for a full week so that companies can perform there.

"This is an amazing opportunity for the region's non-professional theatre fraternity to perform in one of the finest examples of a Matcham theatre -- a theatre that they played a large part in bringing back into public use."

The festival will be non-competitive, although plays will be professionally adjudicated, and its aim is to promote and celebrate the area's "rich resource of amateur theatre".

Ian added: "An expression of interest does not mean you have to name a play or even commit to performing.

"It simply means you will be kept informed and when the details are finalised you will be approached, as a priority, to see if your company would be willing to perform in the festival.

"If you are interested but find the main stage too daunting a prospect for next year we have also been offered the studio space."

Interested group should write to Ian Lamond, AmDramSlam, c/o Town Centre Management Office, 8 Market Street, Blackpool, FY1 1ET or e-mail amdramslam@dramaemail.com