THE Tyldesley-based Impact Theatre Company won a top award at the Hale One-Act Festival for Brian Lee's original play, Blinded.

They fought off fierce competition from more than 20 other theatre groups and were awarded the Roy Bradley Shield by adjudicator Scott Marshall for the originality, creativity and vision of their latest work.

Winning writer Brian Lee said: "Scott Marshall was very complimentary about the play and it is very flattering to have your work honoured in this way.

Impact's aim has always been to improve standards of acting and directing in local theatre. That's why the group began.

Credit must go to the full team who have made this possible and particularly to John Proctor, whose music has given the production an extra dimension."

Impact actors Carole Houghton and David Starkey received special mention on the awards night.

They were both nominated for the Best Actor Award.

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