THIRTEEN talented youngsters have successfully auditioned to get into WODYS - the Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society Youth Section.

They were among about 40 boys and girls, aged between eight and 18, who sang and danced in a bid to join the group during auditions hailed by WODYS chairman and producer, David Humphries, as "excellent".

Mr Humphries said: “The audition panel was impressed by the standard across the complete age range and I want to thank everyone for auditioning.

"I am really sorry that we could not take any more but we are unfortunately limited as to how many new members we can accept each year as we can only accommodate a certain number of youngsters safely on stage.

"We hope that the people who were unsuccessful this year will join WODAC, our academy, where they will receive tuition in singing, dancing and drama.”

The successful auditionees will now face another audition in the new year - along with the other 50 current members of WODYS - for roles in next year's musical, Whistle Down The Wind.

This is to be staged at the Swan Theatre, in Worcester, from Tuesday to Saturday, August 1 to 5. While auditions are held for roles, every member is guaranteed a part in the musical.

The new members met some of the older ones during a Macmillan coffee morning that WODYS held at its rehearsal rooms in Northfield Street, Worcester, when £130 was raised for the cause.

Mr Humphries called the event "fantastic" and thanked everyone who helped and brought cakes along, as well as the older members of WODYS who provided entertainment.

*The full list of successful auditionees is: Ethan Coombs, Darcie-Ella Eglesfield, Phoebe Jones, Thomas Ash, Lydia Dimmock, Georgia Hill, Riya Mayilvahanan, Georgia Satchwell, Olivia Sireshuck, Ella Sutton, William Fall-Taylor, Louisa Ridge and Bethany Tyrrell.