MEMBERS of Wordsley Amateur Dramatic Society are gearing up for their first performance in a new venue.

After 50 years performing at Stream Road Methodist Church in Kingswinford - the society has made The Crestwood School's theatre its new home.

Members are currently in rehearsals for what will be their first show at the new location - a production of Victorian ghost story Darker Shores, by Michael Punter, which will run from January 31.

Chairman Liz Green said it had been a "huge wrench" to leave the Kingswinford church, where they had staged a vast array of award-winning plays since 1967, after being told they could no longer use the facility after 10pm which would have limited production possibilities.

But she said: "The society sees our future at Crestwood. Here we have a well-equipped hall, tiered seating and larger stage, which will give us an excellent opportunity to present a new style theatre experience."

Darker Shores, directed by Amanda Palmer and Mark Jones, is a chilling tale of suspense - set at Christmas 1875 at The Sea House on a desolate stretch of the East Sussex coast where Professor Gabriel Stokes and American spiritualist Tom Beauregard embark on a terrifying journey to discover the truth behind a series of unexplained happenings.

Starring WADS regulars Neil Wood, Andrew Rock, Lisa Gregg, Liz Green and Sarah Hickman - the play will run at Crestwood School theatre, Bromley Lane, Kingswinford, from January 31 to February 3, with performances starting at 7.30pm.

Tickets are priced £8 (£7 concessions) and are available from the box office on 01384 353662 or 07775 753088 or online from www.wordsleyamdram.com.