ONE of the country's leading theatre companies is to make another visit to the county town of North Yorkshire next year.

Tickets for the Royal Shakespeare Company's visit to Northallerton will go on sale next week - and leisure staff are expecting a sell-out.

The company is making its fifth visit to the town since 1991 and last year's production of The Tempest was sold out within weeks

This year, it will be putting on two plays - The Merry Wives of Windsor and Coriolanus during its week in the town next February.

"There is a real Shakespeare buzz about the leisure centre," said spokesman Richard Dowson yesterday.

"This tour is a real treat for Hambleton, helping to put Northallerton on the map.

"Having such a great show come to us is fantastic and saves people travelling all the way to Stratford, London or Newcastle to see this high-quality theatre."

The box office opens next Saturday and tickets are priced £20 per show, reduced to £36 for those who wish to see both shows.

Concessions will be available for the matinee performances only. To book call in at the leisure centre or ring (01609) 777070.