AS Bournemouth Ballet Club looks forward to celebrating its 60th anniversary and staging an exciting show next year it is urging more dancers to become members.

Since its founder Miss Collins died three years ago the club's enthusiastic, voluntary committee members have worked to keep the region's longest running ballet club up and running.

Last year membership slumped to just 12, which chairperson Sharon James says in unbelievable.

The club gives young dancers a rare opportunity to perform in a real theatre. Rehearsals take place every Sunday over five months. Members need only pay an annual subscription of £25 and for that they attend monthly master-classes with guest choreographers, who visit from prestigious organisations like Elmhurst, The Royal Ballet and Pineapple Studios.

Every two years it puts on a major show with a top choreographer and it is at these times that membership rises.

The club is now looking forward to presenting Secrets of the Seasons' at Lighthouse, Poole, on February 17 and 18. Auditions will take place on September 18 at the YMCA, Jameson Road, Winton. Children aged seven-plus, who are at at least Grade 2 ballet level from any ballet school are invited to audition. The times are: ages seven-10 years 10am; 11-13 years 12pm and ages 14 and over 3.30pm. Singing auditions will take place after each dance audition. Please bring a backing CD or tape.

For further information on the club or the auditions call Sharon James on 877908 or 0797 9694917 or visit the web site www.bournemouthballetclub.co.uk