Ledbury Amateur Dramatic Society has paid back a £20,000 loan it took out to help fund a new theatre two months early.

LADS borrowed the money in November 1999 from Ledbury Town Council to finance the construction of its Market Theatre.

"We're very grateful to the town council for their assistance," said theatre chairman Paul Graham. "It meant that we didn't have to borrow any money at a commercial rate and that all our fundraising has been ploughed into the building.

"We're now completely clear of debts and can concentrate on upgrading our lighting and sound systems.

"The theatre has been amazingly successful since we opened last year and we're continuing to bring good standard, small professional companies to Ledbury, interspersed with LADS own productions and monthly showings of recently-released films through Flicks in the Sticks."

n LADS panto Rapunzel runs from January 15-26. Tickets go on sale in November but joining the Friends of the Theatre ensures priority booking. To join, send £5 to Jenny Thomson, Chiltern, Homend Crescent, Ledbury.