A Guiseley singing group have pulled out of a high-profile trip to the Waterford International Festival in Ireland.

Guiseley Amateur Operatic Society's production of Me and My Girl was of such a high standard when it was staged at Guiseley Theatre in February, that the group was invited to perform it in Ireland in September.

But costs, expected to be in the region of £10,000, plus the fact that several principals were unavailable for the trip means the society have had to turn down the opportunity.

The Waterford Festival is a two week affair which attracts performers from North America and the Continent as well as the British Isles.

More than 40 members of the society planned to transport sets, costumes and technical equipment across the Irish Sea for the one-off performance.

They had planned to stage another two performances of Me and My Girl at Guiseley Theatre in September to help pay for the trip.

The show was virtually sold out in February, and it's thought demand for the extra performances would have been high.

Chairman Margaret Dexter said: "It's a great honour to have been invited in the first place.

"The Waterford Festival is internationally respected and it's nice to think that Guiseley Amateurs were perceived to be good enough to perform on such a significant stage.

"We've tried to move mountains to take the show to Ireland but ultimately, there were just too many cast members who couldn't afford the time away and our producer and musical director couldn't spare enough rehearsal time to get any replacements sufficiently up to speed.

"There were also question marks over how we would fund the trip.

"Naturally, we're disappointed, but we hope that future productions will attract similar attention and that one day we might make the Guiseley name one that's respected in Southern Ireland."

Guiseley Amateur Operatic Society have already named their shows for 2004 and the year after.

Next spring, they'll stage Anything Goes.with auditions taking place in June.

Anyone interested is asked to ring (01943) 462508 for further details.

Rodgers and Hammerstein favourite Carousel is the society's choice for 2005.