HEARTBROKEN dance school pupils have had to scrap part of their Albert Halls show after thieves stole scenery.

Chris Anderton, who helps his wife Teresa run the Teresa Harper School of Dance, had constructed a spectacular space scene to be a highlight of next week's show.

The school spent a year planning the special ultra violet dance routine involving nine children.

Chris spent eight weeks designing and making scenery and props, including a space shuttle, rockets and a model of the world.

But one night during rehearsals at St George's Hall, Farnworth, thieves stole his Astra estate filled with scenery.

The damaged and empty car was later found, and, with the show set for Monday next week, the routine has been scrapped.

"Some of the senior girls who were in the scene who haven't done this sort of thing before were very disappointed," said Chris.

But, the show must go on and Chris has been working through the night to build more scenery for a woodland set.

The three girls now involved in the scene are working hard to learn their new routines in time.

Chris said: "They have one rehearsal to get it right."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.