A YOUTH theatre from Sheffield which has built up a faithful following in the Yorkshire dales hopes to be able to return this summer.

Over a period of about 16 years, Sheffield youth theatre has performed in Grinton church, Reeh memorial hall, the Georgian theatre royal in Richmond, and at Askrigg church and village hall as part of Swaledale festival.

This year's festival has a musical theme, and the youth drama group has not been invited to take part, but it would still like to perform in the area, independently of the festival, provided it can find a sponsor.

"The dales audiences are very special," said director, Meg Jepson. "Their level of undivided attention on the play and their delight with the energetic style of performance feeds back instantly to the actors who find the quality of work escalating as a result of the audience's evident support."

The foot-and-mouth epidemic is posing uncertainty over all events in the dales, though organisers of Swaledale festival have said that it will go ahead in some form, even if it means moving everything to Richmond.

The youth theatre is nevertheless putting out feelers as it does not want to disappoint its enthusiastic followers. It began by performing before about 15 people, adding a few more each year until suddenly the director added up an audience of more than 40. It has also run workshops for young people and adults attending the plays.

Faces began to be familiar, and last year's performance of Henry V captured about 60 dales people and holiday-makers. The group, which concentrates on performing classic texts, usually Shakespeare, would like to visit in early to mid-June, but needs a sponsor, perhaps from the business sector or a charitable trust, to cover travel costs of about £300-£400 and the venue charge.

Anyone able to offer support, and suggest a venue, should contact Meg Jepson on 0114 288 2929.