FOLLOWING the success of its last show at Durham's Gala theatre, an amateur group has been invited back.

Durham's Amateur Operatic Society became the first amateur group to perform at the venue, and the first company to stage a musical there, when it put on Me and My Girl earlier this year.

The show sold out for all performances, and the theatre was keen to invite the group back.

As a result, it has devised an evening's entertainment, called What a Swell Pary - the life and music of Cole Porter, to be staged at the theatre on Friday and Saturday, June 28 and 29.

The show, devised by musical director George Hetherington and producer, Fred Wharton, tells the story of one of musical theatre's greatest song writers.

A spokesman said: "Not a single moment will fail to entertain in this tribute to a song writer whose work even now has not been surpassed.

"A large company of musical talent from the area has been assembled - soloists, chorus, children and dancers, in a wonderful display of music theatre."

Evening performances on both days start at 7.15pm and there will be a Saturday matinee, beginning at 2.15pm.

Tickets, priced at £6 or £4, are available from the booking secretary on 0191-386 2242 or the box office on 0191-332 4041.