FOR the second time in as many years one of the area’s stage groups is in the running for an amateur theatre “Oscar”.

Mike Deakin, who played the devilish Darryl in Ellesmere Port Musical Theatre’s recent production of Witches of Eastwick, has been nominated for an award from the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA).

He has had a nod in the Best Male Performance category.

Mike will know if he’s been successful during the awards ceremony in Blackpool at the end of May.

EPMTC has just started rehearsing for its next show, Let’s Face The Music and Dance, which will feature numbers from a host of West End productions.

The show is on at Ellesmere Port Civic Hall from April 2-5.

Tickets can be bought by ringing the box office hotline 0151 339 4390, or 07803 581381.