ALMOST 60 youngsters with stars in their eyes competed for just 14 places at a Worcester audition.

Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society's Youth Section spent a day putting the budding actors and actresses through their paces at the annual auditions for membership of the group.

WODYS chairman David Humphries put the level of interest down to the successful reputation the group has gained over the years.

"We don't advertise. It is just word of mouth and seeing our productions," he said.

"Also, next year we are performing Return to the Forbidden Planet, which is a great show with lively music and dancing in it."

The prospective members sang their way through a variety of pieces, offered a range of monologues and poems, and danced everything from ballet to jazz.

"The standard was high," said Mr Humphries. "It is obviously a shame to have to turn some youngsters down, but we just can't take everyone.

"I'd like to thank them all for the work they did and encourage the ones who weren't lucky this time to try again next year."

Return to the Forbidden Planet is being staged at Worcester's Swan Theatre from Tuesday, August 3, to Saturday, August 7, 2004. The musical is set to be WODYS' 13th show at the Swan.