BOLTON theatre groups are celebrating wracking up more nominations than ever before at an annual awards.

The Greater Manchester Drama Federation (GMDF) awards shine a spot light on all aspects of the amateur theatre movement in the region.

Every year anything from best acting, youth performance and directing to musical maestros, technical skills and dancers show off the best of the best.

Next week thespians from around the North West will descend on Bolton to see if they have out played their rivals to pick up a converted trophy.

And the town's very own societies are in with a good chance of making a winners speech, with members in line for more than 30 awards.

GMDF vice chairman and chairman of the Bolton Amateur Theatre Societies, Paul Cohen said: "It has been a really good season for the whole of Manchester.

"In terms of Bolton, our membership is limited, however I am really pleased with the amount of nominations received for the town – it has surpassed previous seasons.

"At the last meeting the GMDF had, the adjudicators said it had been really hard to pick nominees and winners this year due to the amount of good shows. It took a good few weeks to decide and as a results there are more nominations in some categories.

"Being award winners helps bring audiences to Bolton, they want to come and see what you can do and puts us on the map in Greater Manchester.

"Everyone is working really hard to produce good theatre!"

Among the nominees this year are Farnworth and Bolton Little theatres with a combined 17 nominations, the Marco Players also impressed with seven, and Phoenix Theatre and Tyldsley Little Theatre with four each,

St Philips AODS picked up five nominations, while its junior workshop member Joseph Dickman is in line for best youth male performer in a musical for his portrayal of Bugsy in Bugsy Malone.

Bolton's other big youth group, CATS could also win five awards if it has a lucky night.

Elsewhere, Ramsbottom's Summerseat Players, the Rossendale Players, Whitefield Garrick, Heywood AODS and youth group Hey Kids, Prestwich ADOS, its youth group and PADOS youth are also in line for a shot at one of the more than 30 awards.

The awards will be announced at The Last Drop Hotel on July 8.