A PLAY performed by The Bishampton Barnstormers went down a storm when the group scooped the overall winner title for the Worcestershire Theatre Festival Award.

The cast of three fought off competition from other drama groups in Worcestershire when they performed Swan Song, a play by Vanessa Brooks.

The play was directed by the Barnstormers' Sue Griffith, and performed in the All England Theatre Festival at Evesham Arts Centre.

As overall winners, The Barnstormers will represent Worcestershire when it competes against five other winners from Shropshire, Herefordshire and Birmingham in the Midlands Divisional final in Ludlow today.

Swan Song is about a surveyor called Donald Sykes, who is retiring.

"He's had a passion for his secretary and he realises this on his last day, and there's a twist at the end," said Mrs Griffith.

Donald Sykes is played by Terry Griffith, Mrs Griffith's husband, Margaret the secretary is played by Liz Taylor, and Diana Sanders plays Mimi Sykes, Donald's wife.

Nine other entries from across Worcestershire competed for the award over a two-day period, during the first weekend in April.

It was not The Barnstormers only success. They also entered Il Fornicazione, a spoof of an opera into the competition, which took the comedy award.

There were 13 awards altogether, and The Barnstormers scooped four of them for Swan Song, and one for Il Fornicazione.

For Swan Song, Mr Griffith won best actor for his portrayal of Donald, Mrs Griffith was awarded the Martin Smith Trophy for Best Director, followed by the David Edkins Trophy for Best Play and then the Worcestershire Theatre Festival Award for the Overall Winner.

"We were overwhelmed. It's absolutely wonderful," said Mrs Griffith.

Anyone interested in joining the Barnstormers should contact Mrs Griffith on 01386 462306.