YOUNG actors, musicians and dancers who have been helped on their way to stage and screen careers by a Sheila Toomey Award will be appearing back in Warminster next weekend in a fundraising gala to help keep the scheme running.

Little Sparrows, the production company of the Sheila Toomey Award, has the greatest pleasure in welcoming back several of the successful applicants to the award who will be performing at a Gala Fundraiser and Showcase at the Athenaeum on April 9.

Little Sparrows spokesman Adela Forestier-Walker explained: "Most are local young men and women who have gone on to work in their various careers, some still in training and some well on the way to embarking upon them, including (among others) Craig Rees, David Gale and Alex Williams. Accompanists will include international pianist James Brown and Tom Hiscocks on the guitar.

"Our hosts for the evening are Barry Mole and Andrew Robinson and well-known tenor Andrew Forbes-Lane is directing the acts, as well as performing himself in what should be a glittering evening.

"The Sheila Award has been going for over 13 years and seeing some of these young people and several of their friends taking part in a Gala to raise funds for the young aspirants of the future is a great privilege and joy for all of the Trustees of the Award. Nearly £25,000 has been dispensed to young people in the past and we are in the process of dispensing another £3,750 this month to this year's applicants; we hope to present their awards to them during the gala."

The awards were started in tribute to the late Sheila Toomey, who was closely involved with many drama groups and productions at the Athenaeum and a passionate supporter of young people. Following the initial legacies, money has been raised for the awards through the years by gals and performances: the next major event after this gala will be Cats The Musical next February.

Tickets for the gala are available now from the Athenaeum on 01985 213891, adults £12, concessions £10.