A BOLTON amateur dramatic group is preparing for its last show in a historic hall.

St Paul’s (Astley Bridge) AODS is facing its final days at the Bromley Cross Village Hall following an announcement that it will be closing this summer.

To offset the sadness at the news, the players are putting on domestic comedy All In Good Time.

Starting next week, the play by Bill Naughton - the author behind Alfie - explores the drama of a teenage marriage and the effects on a working-class British family. A hit on Broadway, it was made into the 1966 film The Family Way starring John and Hayley Mills.

It is hoped the comic caper will bring some cheer as the group lose their home.

Society chairman, Steve Brennan said: “St Paul’s (Astley Bridge) AODS are to be made homeless again for the third time in less than 30 years.

“After performing two musicals at Walmsley Church Hall and plays at Chorley Old Road Methodist Church, the society found a warm welcome at the village hall in Bromley Cross and was just about feeling secure in our new home when we found out the sad news Birtenshaw Methodist Church and the village hall attached to it is to close in August.

“We are planning to perform a play this August in St Paul’s Primary School in Astley Bridge.”

The music and drama society began to produce straight plays soon after the First World War and in the 1930s branched out into pantomimes with a production of Robinson Crusoe.

The members continued to perform plays and musicals in their own parochial hall until it closed in the early 1980s.

After a short period of uncertainty, the society made their new home at the Theatre Church in Seymour Road and continued to flourish until the venue closed in 2012. The last play in Bromley Cross - All in Good Time - will run from Thursday, February 23 to Saturday, February 25 with performances at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from 01204 847866. For more information visit stpaulsaods.co.uk.