BUDDING actors are to get their first taste of stardom in a new film about the Pendle witches.

Candidates hoping for the chance to play Chattox and Alice Nutter in a musical drama called In the Shadow of Pendle Hill auditioned at the Ambulance Hall, Colne.

Writer Pat Hagon, of production company Hagon Happenings, said: "Everyone we saw was excellent and we will find a place in the cast for all of them. I also think we may have found our young lead, Janet."

Pat, who lives in Lincoln, and son Richard, of Keighley, who run Hagon Happenings, visited Pendle last year to stage the production at Barley Village Hall. They will return between August 3 to 18 for filming.

Pat said: "I wrote the play and the lyrics and Richard composed the music. The auditions were great. I only wish we had some older boys because we have some parts for them. If there are any lads who want to audition they can contact me on 01673 860 180 and send a demo tape and photograph. We will be casting the parts by the end of February."

In Colne nine people, aged ten to 50-odd, auditioned .

Samantha Harper, 10, lives in Newchurch-in-Pendle and attends St John's School, Read. Her mum Rita said: "She has been told she has got a part and we are deciding whether to go through with it."

Pat, who with Richard has written and produced eight musicals since setting up Hagon Happenings 15 years ago, contacted Pearl Abram at the tourist information centre, who provided her books about the "witches". Pat spent a year devising the drama - the company's first film.

In the Shadow of Pendle Hill will, she hopes, be shown at the Pendle Hippodrome, and copies will be on sale at various outlets including Pendle Heritage Centre.

Everyone in Pendle is invited to take part in the film on August 11 when the final modern-day scenes will be recorded on the hill. They will be set to the folk song Old Pendle.