TALENTED North Yorkshire youngsters have been bidding for the chance to tread the boards alongside Britain's top Shakespearean actors.

Tickets are already on sale for the Royal Shakespeare Company's visit to Hambleton Leisure Centre, in Northallerton, where its actors will give seven performances of The Merry Wives Of Windsor and Coriolanus from February 4 until February 8 next year.

The company needs six local children to take part in the productions.

Auditions were held last week to whittle 30 hopefuls down to a shortlist, who will go to further auditions in January.

It will be the RSC's fifth visit to the venue since 1991. Last year their production of The Tempest sold out within weeks.

"This tour is a real treat for Hambleton, helping us to put Northallerton on the map. Having such a great show come to us is fantastic and saves people travelling all the way to Stratford, London or Newcastle to see this high-quality theatre," said Richard Dowson, Hambleton Leisure Centre manager.

Tickets are priced at £20 per show or £36 to see both productions. To book, phone Hambleton Leisure Centre on 01609 777070.

Updated: 11:58 Wednesday, October 30, 2002