WANTED: Stagestruck youngsters to take to a bow in a major new musical production.

Blackburn Amateurs will be presenting Annie next May -- but they are already trying to recruit the orphanage children who will be crucial to its success.

Publicity officer and treasurer Peter Heaton said: "We are looking for children between the ages of six and 14.

"And we've already written to many local schools and sent them posters to put up."

He said the amateurs were looking for about 20 youngsters because the production would run over six nights and the children would be split into two groups to cover all the performances.

Annie will be performed at the Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre from May 13 to 18 but anyone interested in taking part -- young or adult -- should go to a pre-show review at St Gabriel's Church Hall, Brownhill, Blackburn next Monday, November 19, at 7.45pm.

Producer David Norris will go through the parts that are available in the show and give details about audition dates and rehearsal schedules.