A DRAMA group has cancelled a stage version of the 'King and I' because the same play is being performed in a nearby town.

Despite recent storm damage to the Forum Theatre in Billingham, the Stockton Stage Society were set to go ahead with their production of the play in March.

However the rights holders of the play refused the society permission for the production, because the show is planned to be performed by a touring company in Sunderland later this year.

Stockton Stage Society said it had appealed directly to the touring company putting on the play at the Sunderland Empire but had still been refused permission.