ONE of Britain's most renowned theatre groups is to make a return visit to North Yorkshire.

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) will be in Northallerton next spring, with their production of The Tempest.

The visit, next March, will be fourth the RSC has made to Northallerton in the last ten years - and so far each has been a resounding success.

The group, based in the Bard's birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon, will be staging seven shows at Hambleton Leisure Centre.

The company will also be holding a series of workshops in the town for schools and other local groups.

The chairman of Hambleton's leisure committee, Susan Latter, said that they were delighted to welcome back the RSC.

"They are hugely professional in their approach to these tours and we are looking forward to seeing some familiar faces again," she said.

"It is a testimony to the hard-working team at Hambleton that the company has chosen to use our facilities once more."

Tickets for the performances - from March 27 to 31 - will go on sale later this year and box office details will be announced shortly.

For any further information contact Hambleton Leisure Centre on (01609) 777070.