BUDDING young performers are being invited by Blackpool Grand Theatre to audition for its new, enlarged youth theatre.

For the first time, the organisation is able to offer 150 places to young people wanting to learn theatre skills.

Michael O'Hara, youth theatre director, said this autumn will be an "exciting time" for the youth theatre which is doubling in size.

He said the company is commissioning two unique youth theatre projects, led by professional dance and drama companies and funded by the North West regional arts lottery programme.

"The first project for the spring season will be a huge main house youth theatre production called Techno Fever, which will experiment with the use of new media technology such as animation, film and computer graphics, which will offer young people new skills other than drama," he said.

"The second performance opportunity will offer young people the opportunity to work with puppets and masks to create a unique street theatre show."

The Grand Theatre is offering open auditions from mid August, and any young person interested in auditioning should contact Christine Jones on 290111.

The Grand Theatre has appointed Jane Ward as its new education manager. For the last 18 years Jane has been the founder director of the Wolverhampton based Central Youth Theatre, organising projects to countries including Hungary, Italy, Austria and the Czech Republic as well as helping the youth theatre get selected to make a drama film for Channel Four Television.

She said: "It is a very exciting time to be joining the eduction department. I will certainly be kept very busy during the months ahead. I am also very keen to develop further links with schools and other social and leisure organisations in the Blackpool area."