BUDDING performers put on their dancing shoes on Tuesday to audition for Trowbridge Operatic's next hit.

Youngsters from drama groups and dance classes were auditioning for the parts of ducklings and froglets in the group's next production, Honk.

The musical was voted best new show of 2000, beating The Lion King and tells the story of an ugly duckling.

Producers were faced with selecting a dozen youngsters for the show, scheduled for the Arc Theatre in December. Director Paul Butler is also facing the challenge of creating a dozen giant eggs for the performers to hatch from at the beginning of the show.

Joan Francis, vice-chairman of Trowbridge Amateur Operatic Society, said: "It's a fun show and we are all looking forward to organising rehearsals.

"Honk is a family show on a variation of the ugly duckling story, with reflecting issues for the adult audience while keeping the ugly duckling story for the children."