VALE drama groups are going head-to-head for the honour of winning the first Vale-only competitive festival.

The first Vale of Evesham Drama Festival is taking place at Evesham Arts Centre next weekend, organised specifically so local amateur drama groups can showcase their talents.

Arts centre spokesman John Nettell explained: "The festival is in part to celebrate the 25th birthday of Evesham Arts Centre (a little bit late) and in part to try to give encouragement to the drama groups of the Vale."

Groups have been invited to enter a one-act play or musical which is no more than 45 minutes long, or a section from a longer play or musical which does not go over the time limit.

Each group will enter a judge for the panel who cannot vote for their own piece. They have been instructed to look out for entertainment value and audience appreciation and will give the favourite society a £100 cheque to take home.

Four groups are entering five pieces on Saturday, November 6 (festival stalwarts Bishampton Barnstormers were billed to appear but unfortunately could not get enough people to take part).

Evesham's Phoenix Theatre Company has come up with two entries: Welcome to the Family will be known to some. It was written by member Don Cook and seen at another festival earlier this year. The other entry will be an excerpt from The Boy Friend.

Evesham Operatic and Dramatic Society has entered a one-act comedy called Wanted, a Housekeeper, and both the Norwick Players and the Sedgeberrow and Overbury Amateur Players have written new pieces specially for the occasion.

The festival will be split into an afternoon and evening session, starting at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Tickets are £4 per session and are available from Evesham Book Centre in the Library Arcade Evesham, from the groups themselves or on the door.

Organisers are hoping for plenty of support from audiences and groups so the festival can become an annual event.