IT'S outlived the closure of two major theatres and even survived a cultural shift from Gilbert and Sullivan to S Club 7.

But as Chester-le-Street Operatic Society prepares to enter its 100th year there's one thing it still needs - fresh blood.

Next year's centenary celebrations will combine an appeal for old programmes, memorabilia and photographs with a renewed call for new members to join a group that first trod the boards in 1903.

Nearly a century on and, while the society's former venues the Hippodrome and the Empire Theatre have long since passed into the history books, the group is still going.

One couple who between them have more than a century's worth of memories about Chester-le-Street's premier amateur dramatics group are Bill and Edna Bowman.

Now both in their mid-eighties the pair, originally from Birtley but now living in Chester-le-Street, got involved in the late Forties and still go along most Monday nights.

Edna said: "I've played the piano there for the best part of 50 years and it's always been an important part of our lives. The only problem now of course, is that most of the 'younger' members have now got bus passes.

The group performed to packed audiences in the town's old Hippodrome and the Empire Theatre before both were demolished and have been doing the same at Park View Community Theatre for 30 years.

If anyone has any memories, photographs or programmes from any time in the last 100 years, then contact Margaret Reed on (0191) 388 8382.

l Their next concert, A Century of Song, comes to Park View on Wednesday, March 20, running until Saturday, March 23. It features favourites from Gilbert and Sullivan all the way through to S Club 7. Tickets are available from Julia on (0191) 584 3061.