ANTIQUES Roadshow expert Henry Sandon is backing a bid by Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society for a £50,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

The society is in the final of the competition for the cash, which is to be featured on ITV's Central news at 6pm today with its Making A Difference project designed to make theatre accessible to all.

Viewers will be invited to vote for their favourite scheme and WODS and TV celebrity Mr Sandon are hoping county folk will call in with enough votes to win them the cash. They hope to provide a 'grand entrance' to their rehearsal and performance rooms - a former church hall in Worcester's Northfield Street.

Members of WODS and their youth group WODYS will be appearing on the TV programme to outline their project and urge people to vote for it.

The scheme is to open up and extend the building's entrance lobby to include a toilet for the disabled, add a covered entrance with ramp and handrails, plus some minor landscaping.

Mr Sandon, who lives in Worcester and is regarded as the world authority on Worcester porcelain, said: WODS is one of the oldest amateur dramatic societies in the country and I think it is one of the finest, having sung with many in London when I was young.

"This great society needs to improve its rehearsal facilities in this lovely old church hall with the provision of an access for the handicapped members and visitors.

"They also want to make the entrance more attractive to improve the building as a local treasure.

"Many of the young members have gone on to a professional career following their great training with the society. I watched one recently on the TV.

"I have watched WODYS perform and they are a really talented group. They have raised more than £10,000 for local charities and they take a cabaret show to local nursing and care homes at Christmas.

"But, when they perform at the hall in Northfield Street, their own home, I know some older family members cannot go and see them because access is so difficult.

"The new entrance and toilet would make such a difference and improve access for everyone.

"So, people of Worcester, please support this great society which has been going since 1892 - a very youthful antique."

Phone lines will be open for voting until midnight and the winner will be announced tomorrow evening.

The phone lines will open at 1pm today. To cast your vote for WODS' Making a Difference project text CENTRAL B to 63330 or call 0845 6090802.