YOUNGSTERS with ambitions to take part in musicals will be auditioning for membership of a leading county youth theatre group this weekend.

Almost 70 children aged between eight and 18 will compete for about 12 places with Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society Youth Section (WODYS), which each year stages a full musical at the Swan Theatre, and entertains people in care homes, women's institutes and other organisations with a winter cabaret.

Those who succeed will face another audition in the new year - along with the other 60 current members of WODYS - for roles in next year's musical, Les Miserables School Edition. This is to be staged at the Swan from Tuesday to Saturday, August 2 to 6. While auditions are held for roles, every member is guaranteed a part in the musical.

WODYS is a popular youth drama group and competition for membership is keen.

Chairman and director David Humphries said: ''Membership calls for dedication, as we start rehearsing the annual musical in January and members are expected to attend each Saturday morning, while principals also have Sunday rehearsals.

"We wish all those auditioning on Saturday good luck. For those who are not successful we would like to remind them that there is also the chance to join the group's academy, WODAC, where they will receive training in stagecraft which should help them if they want to audition for WODYS again in the future."

This year's membership hopefuls include a number who have been receiving training at WODAC. The youngsters have also been attending preliminary workshops in recent weeks.