STOURBRIDGE'S Side by Side theatre group is gearing up for an action-packed tenth anniversary year.

The group began their celebrations by collecting a host of awards at The Dudley Festival, held over the weekend of March 24 and 25 at Dudley College.

Members of Side by Side scooped distinctions in four categories with scenes from their latest production, Worlds Apart, receiving The Chairman's Trophy for a piece of theatre.

The drama group, for students with learning difficulties, are lining-up a series of stage outings around the borough and hoping to tread the boards overseas for the first time.

They are currently trying to raise £16,500 to take World's Apart to Motala in Sweden - where they plan to perform and give workshops at Plantengymasiet College.

So far they have raised around £10,000 from grants and donations including £600 from staff at Waitrose in Stourbridge - and parents and friends have a series of fundraisers in the pipeline.

Group leader Sue Wallin said: "It'll be a very enriching experience for them; they're very, very excited about going. A little group came over from Sweden to us in October 2005 and were excited about what we do and said it would be lovely if we could go over there, so we've been trying to raise the funds ever since."

Stourbridge theatregoers can catch World's Apart - about the thwarted romance between an earth girl and an alien told through dialogue, dance, physical theatre, music, mime and special effects - at Stourbridge Town Hall on June 27, 28 and 29.

A modern take on the ancient Roman tale of Psyche and Eros, the play features a dysfunctional family, UFOs and robots and sees heroine Belinda journeying to the ends of the earth to find the four living stones which she hopes will bring her lost lover back to her.

Due to perform at the Worcestershire Theatre Festival this Saturday (March 31) - Side by Side will also be making an appearance at the Viva Musica concert at Dudley Town Hall on April 28 and have been invited to take part of their production to the Albert Hall in Llandrindod Wells in July for the finals of the National Drama Festivals Association All Winners Festival.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the group's Sweden fund can call Sue Wallin on 01384 344603.