A CELEBRATION of Darlington through the last 50 years is ready to hit the Civic Theatre stage.

The Late Late Jubilee Show, presented by Coun Roderick Burtt and Alan Cowie, takes a light-hearted journey through the town during the five decades of Her Majesty's reign.

Using projected archive images, and humour and songs depicting each decade, the one-night special promises to be a night to remember.

Musical numbers will be performed by pupils of Polam Hall School, Carmel Technology College, Abbey Junior School, and Heighington and Bishopton primary schools.

Coun Burtt, of Hurworth, is an old hand at writing and producing. In 1987, backed by Darlington Rotary Club, he packed the Civic with an entertaining review of his world travels.

Two years ago, a piece of music heard on a CD sparked off an idea for another show.

"My seven-year itch takes 16 years to come to fruition, so this has been building up inside for a long time," Coun Burtt told the D&S Times.

"I heard a piece of music and I could just visualise the curtain going up at the Civic Theatre. But an opening number does not make a show. Then came the jubilee celebrations and I had a peg to hang it on."

Good friend Alan Cowie, of Peter Fall Cowie, Duke Street, helped write the show and will co-present it.

"The scariest part has been booking the theatre, because that means it now has to happen," added Coun Burtt.

"It's just a bit of fun and all the proceeds go to St Teresa's Hospice, the Giving Tree appeal and other Rotary Darlington charities," said Coun Burtt.

Tickets for the show on March 12, at 7.30, cost £10 or £7.50 for the upper circle. To book, call 01325 487231.