A CHRISTMAS Carol, the hi-tech 2013 production of the Dickens classic by Leigh Operatic and Dramatic Society, has received a top local honour.

The show was awarded the annual Palace Theatre Trust prize for Best Amateur Production.

The decision followed a ballot by trust members, the friends’ group supporting the historic theatre. It represents the society’s fourth win in the award’s nine-year history.

The awards ceremony, at the Cliffs Pavilion, Westcliff, also provided an opportunity for the the society to showcase their next production, the Who’s Tommy.

Andrew Seal, society chairman and the director of A Christmas Carol, said: “We’re so grateful to have been picked as winners of the 2013 Amateur Award.

“The Palace Theatre Club provide such fantastic support for amateur dramatics and their annual award, as voted by their members, is a wonderful recognition for the effort local groups put into their productions each year.

“Our Tommy presentation was a way of demonstrating our appreciation for the award, and for all the work the trust does.”

A Christmas Carol was singled out, among other factors, for its extraordinary hi-tech visual wizardry.

The Echo commented the show “mingled some amazing video technology with live performers, so that at times the two became almost inextinguishable”.

Andrew said: “We are always trying to break new ground at Lods, and we hope to wow audiences once again with our ground-breaking interpretation of the rock opera musical Tommy.”

The Who’s Tommy runs at the Palace Theatre, in London Road, from May 7 to May 10.