AUDREY the blood sucking plant takes centre stage for a youth theatre production of Little Shop of Horrors.

The show combines black comedy with 60s music, and is being staged by Congleton Amateur Youth Theatre at the Daneside Theatre.

Simon Matthews from Biddulph and Becky Grey from Congleton play Seymour and Audrey, who work in a struggling florists shop in Skid Row.

The shop's owner, Mr Mushnik, played by Tom Seargeant from Astbury, tells Seymour he can keep his job if he nurses a plant back to health.

Seymour names the plant Audrey 2, which starts to grow thanks to a diet of Seymour's blood.

It tries to persuade Seymour to obtain more blood, with comically gruesome results for Craig Young from Congleton, who plays a dentist.

In the other leading role is Emma Atherton from Congleton, who is the voice of the plant.

The musical runs from May 16 to 19 and boasts a cast of 50 between the ages of nine and 17. Hit songs including Feed Me Seymour and Skid Row.

"There is a lot of singing and dancing, and it's a musical which is for all ages," said theatre group secretary Sheila Guthrie.

The show is aimed at children aged eight and over.

Tickets from Congleton Information Centre or ring 277502.