A DESPERATE call for help is being made by Kidderminster dance troupe members whose appeals for a new leader have fallen on deaf ears for more than a year.

The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters' Regimental Dance Band has been on the look-out for a new teacher since their former instructor left to have a baby at Christmas, 2003.

Since then, the post has been temporarily filled by 17-year-old Leanne Wright and 15-year-old Nicky Davies but, now Leanne has also stopped teaching, Nicky says she cannot carry on alone.

The Bewdley High School pupil is currently studying for nine GCSEs and wants to concentrate on her studies. She also hopes to become a professional dance teacher when she finishes her studies and would like to carry on learning new steps in the meantime.

"I want a new teacher so I can carry on improving myself," she told the Shuttle/Times and News.

Dance administrator, Janice Bradbury, added she feared girls would stop coming to the meetings of the group, which changed its name from the Royal British Legion group last March, if they did not get a new leader soon.

Her appeal has already been featured in the Shuttle/Times & News twice, while she has made announcements at carnivals and used word of mouth in her, so far, fruitless search.

"Things are getting desperate now because we need new routines," she said.

"Nicky's good but different teachers have different moves and that's what they need, otherwise the girls are going to start dropping out."

Baxter College pupil, Ruth Keenan, 14, said she and the other girls danced with the group so they would meet new people and have fun.

Thirteen-year-old fellow Baxter College pupil, Bryony Edwards, added: "As well as being good performance, it's a laugh, so someone should come and teach us."

Anyone interested in teaching the group, which performs all sorts of routines, including 60s and contemporary dance, should contact Ms Bradbury on 07940 578603.