A NEW year of shows at Bromyard's Conquest Theatre will see old favourites join a new series of entertainment designed to boost the venue's repertoire.

First up will be a Hollies tribute by Eric Haydock, at 8pm, on Saturday, January 18. An original member of the Sixties act, Eric will celebrate the band's 40th anniversary year with a representation of hits from the original line up. Tickets are £12 and £11.

This year's annual pantomime by Conquest Productions will be Babes in the Wood, written by Tom Bright. The traditional, fast-moving show for all the family will run from February 7 to 15, at 7.30pm, or 3pm matinees. Tickets are £7 and £6.

Saturday, March 18, sees The Famous Music company present old-time music hall favourites in Roll Out The Barrel. Tickets are £11 and £10.

For Easter, Churches Together in Bromyard will stage Show Me the Cross, at 7.30pm, on March 17, with Christian singer songwriter, Nonnie James. Tickets are £3.

Corin Redgrave will be coming to Bromyard at 7.30pm on March 30 to present his man-man play, Blunt Speaking. The staging follows the thought processes of Anthony Blunt, immediately after his exposure as a spy. Tickets are £12, in aid of the Bromyard Buhuri conservation project.

A comedy, Minor Operation, presented by the Studio Players, follows at 8pm on April 1 to 5.

Written by local man, Frank Ryding, the action is set in the outdated and forgotten Little Fitcham Memorial Hospital, which suddenly starts to attract unwelcome attention. Tickets are £7 and £6 in aid of HomeStart, Hope Now and the British Red Cross.

Spring is in the Air with the Bromyard Choral Society, at 7.30pm, on April 12. The choir will be joined by special guests to raise money for the mayor's charities. Tickets £6 and £7.

Jimmy Cricket and his Laughter Show are at the Conquest Threatre at 8pm on Easter Saturday, April 19.

The Irish comedian, known from television appearances, joins Wellie Boot Productions to present an evening of comedy and entertainment for all the family. Tickets are £12 and £11.

Other shows planned for the year include The Liverpool Comedians Show, Tony Jo and Friends (From the Grumbleweeds), Dave Berry and the Cruisers, An evening with John H Stacey (ex world boxing champion) and a Buddy Holly extravaganza, Walk Right Back. For tickets, contact the box office on 01885 488575.