TOMMY Steele, who starred in the film of Half a Sixpence, has sent a photograph and his best wishes to members of a Worcester youth theatre group who are to stage the musical at the Swan Theatre next month.

Eddie Paisley, 15, who has been cast in the lead role of Arthur Kipps in the production by Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society Youth Section (WODYS), is pictured with a photograph of the star.

WODYS’ production of Half a Sixpence plays at the Swan Theatre nightly from Tuesday, July 26, to Saturday, July 30, with a matinee on the final day.

Tickets are available from WorcesterLive box office at Huntingdon Hall, in Worcester’s CrownGate shopping centre. Call 01905 611427.