A story about a young orphan girl is to be produced by an amateur dramatics group which could also become homeless in the near future.

The Stockton Stage Society is performing Annie from Thursday, March 1 until Saturday March 10 and, like the red-haired star of the show, the group could soon be without a home.

The society is based in Billingham Forum, which is to be knocked down as part of redevelopment plans for the town.

Publicity manager Roy Lockwood fears if the group cannot find somewhere else to meet it will have to disband.

He said: "When the forum closes down we will not have a base to work from.

"We will either have to disband or move on to a new site. We abhor the fact that this closure is going to happen.

"It means there will not really be a theatre between Darlington and Sunderland.

"We are an amateur group which only put on one show a year, but it takes up a lot our time.

"I'm sure professional groups which will be losing part of their livelihood will feel the same."

Following a decision by Stockton Borough Council to knock down the forum and replace it with new leisure facilities, it was revealed that it is unlikely that any development will start for three to four years, and the forum will continue to offer leisure and sporting facilities in the meantime.

The Stage Society's production of Annie stars Holly Gray and Hayley Reinprecht who are both pupils at Teesside stage schools.

The adult members of the Stage Society are often joined by young hopefuls for productions which have a large number of roles for youngsters.

Tickets for the show are £6 to £10 and can be bought from the Forum theatre on (01642) 55266