Staging a production of Annie without the orphan's faithful canine companion Sandy is like putting on The Sound of Music without the nuns.

But that's the predicament facing Yeadon Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, which is desperately seeking a dog for its forthcoming show.

When the society decided to stage Annie, members were confident they would find a suitable dog to take part in the show.

But, with the opening night just a month away, the hunt is still on for a thespian mutt.

And as the production is raising funds for the charity Hearing Dogs for the Deaf - which provides guide dogs for deaf people - it is even more important that a real canine stars in the show.

"We can't believe we haven't managed to find a dog yet," said society spokesman Malcolm Kleiman.

"Sandy is Annie's trusted canine and an integral part of the show - she talks to him and some of the action revolves around him.

"There's no way we can get away with not having a dog on stage.

"We put on a production of Annie a few years ago and had no problems finding a dog, so we thought we'd be okay this time.

"We need a dog of any sex but not too old. It must be obedient and used to people.

"It won't need to learn any tricks, just lie next to Annie and follow her around the stage when needed. The owner would need to attend rehearsals with the dog so it gets used to the cast, especially April Haigh who plays Annie."

The society's Christmas concert raised £345 for the children's cardiac unit at Leeds General Infirmary and Malcolm said members wanted to raise as much as possible for Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.

"Everyone knows about guide dogs for the blind but we don't tend to think about dogs for the deaf," he says.

"Yet it costs just as much to train a hearing dog and several months of training. To date, this charity has placed 1,000 hearing dogs with deaf people all over the country.

"The current waiting list for one is 15 months."

Annie is the well-loved rags-to-riches story of an 11-year-old orphan girl who longs for her parents to rescue her from the Municipal Orphanage and its mean-spirited matron Agatha Hannigan.

When billionaire Oliver Warbucks decides to adopt the little orphan, he must first deal with Miss Hannigan's opportunistic schemes.

Annie runs at Yeadon Town Hall from March 15 to 20 at 7.15pm with a 2pm Saturday matinee.

For tickets, ring 0113 250 5900.

Anyone who can provide a dog for the production is asked to ring Malcolm Kleiman on 07774 816918.