JUNIOR members of Settle Amateur Operatic Society are preparing for their moment in the limelight.

They are busy with final rehearsals for their version of the popular musical The Wizard of Oz.

They are carrying on the society's long tradition of producing quality shows.

The musical tells of the adventures of young Dorothy Gale who is swept away from her Kansas farm home in a cyclone and ends up in the Land of Oz.

There, accompanied by her dog, Toto, she meets some memorable friends and foes as she travels to see the Wizard of Oz in the hope that he can help her return home and possibly grant her new friends their goals of a brain, heart and courage.

The show has a memorable score, which includes songs such as Over the Rainbow, Follow the Yellow Brick Road, If I Only Had A Brain and We're Off to See the Wizard.

The young cast has given up its spare time to take part in the show, which is being produced under the guidance of Pat Harding and Pam Whitehead.

And Pat paid tribute to the young thespians' dedication.

Pat said: "They are really fabulous. They come to every rehearsal and earn their lines promptly. The older ones even bring school work along to do when they are not needed. They are all stars."

The musical will be staged at Settle's Victoria Hall next Friday and Saturday, March 26 and 27, at 7pm.

Tickets are available from settlevictoriahall.org.uk or call 01729 825718.