BOLTON'S amateur theatre chiefs are pressing on with plans to create a "centre stage" by organising a festival of music and drama.

The event takes place at the Victoria Hall and is part of a fund raising campaign to establish a communal facility for amateur theatre throughout the town.

Members of the fund raising body, the Amateur Community Theatre (ACT), began their campaign last year, organising an evening of music and drama.

Following its success, a similar event has been organised for Saturday, November 17 at 7.30pm.

A spokesman for the group said: "We are looking to raise funds to provide a suitable venue for the production of amateur theatre and allied arts in Bolton.

"Such a venue would not only ensure the continuation of live theatre in the town within the budget of ordinary people but would also enhance the town's bid for city status and provide future generations with a suitable platform for their talents.

"Many people believe that the amateur movement receives help and subsidy from either local or national funding but I can assure them that no such funding is available.

"Only professional theatre gets subsidy -- and the many splendid amateur shows presented in the town each year are entirely self-financing which involves much hard work on the part of society members.

"We are therefore urging the people of Bolton to support this evening of music, dance and drama, the shows presented by their local amateur societies and the projected Amateur Community Theatre."

Tickets for the festival of music and drama are £6, and are available from Booth's Music Shop on Churchgate, Bolton, or from Mr Harold Hulton on 842678.