YOUNG actors, singers and dancers are wanted to tread the boards in the return of the Summer Youth Project.

Auditions for the family musical Oliver kick off on Sunday, May 11, at 9am at the Wyvern Theatre.

About 250 youngsters, aged from nine to 21, are wanted to perform the annual miracle of pulling off a full- scale production in just 12 days.

Wyvern marketing officer Jenny-Anne Dexter said: "Could you be an urchin in Fagin's gang, sell blooms with Nancy or work backstage to bring this show to life?"

The project gives the wannabe actors a real taste of theatre and how a production is pulled together.

The Summer Youth Project first started in 1994 with Bugsy Malone. This will be the 14th production.

Last year's show was cancelled due to the asbestos scare at the Wyvern which led to the building being closed for more than a year.

In 2006 the musical was Annie for the second time and one of its young stars, Waylon Brewster-Holloway, scooped a part in Sunday Night Live at Her Majesty's Theatre in London.

The Summer Youth Project is run by a team of professionals led by the director Rodney Howard.

Rodney is no stranger to the project, having helped out on numerous occasions as musical director and directing Annie in 2006.

He trained at Swindon's Tanwood School of Dance and Performing Arts and then studied at Trinity College of Music and the Royal College of Music. "The standard of talent in Swindon is amazing which makes my job very difficult at auditions," said Rodney.

Oliver the Musical is full of familiar, sing-a-long tunes such as I'd Do Anything For You, Food Glorious Food, Who Will Buy My Sweet Red Roses?, Where Is Love and As Long As He Needs Me.

Anyone interested should apply for audition forms online at the theatre's website www.wyverntheatre.org.uk or pick one up at the box office.

The cost for the whole experience is £95 per child. No preparation is needed for auditions but entrants should wear comfortable clothes for dancing.

This year's production will run from Thursday, August 21, to Sunday, August 24.

Tickets are £10 and £12 for the charity night on Friday, August 23 and are available from 01793 524481.

Jenny-Anne said: "Tickets are already selling fast so why not come along and experience the lusty excitement of the Dickens era and be swept away by the fabulous music?"