TWO theatre groups are to merge in a bid to cut down on shows - and increase audiences.

Horsforth Grove MAOS and Rawdon Amateur Operatic Society both perform at Yeadon Town Hall and Guiseley Theatre - usually to the same audiences.

But from January next year the two societies will become one, bringing together around 160 members.

Peter Stebbings, chairman of Horsforth Grove, set up in 1967, said discussions had been taking place for the last 18 months with the intention of reducing the number of productions taking place at Yeadon Town Hall.

"Year after year the number of productions seems to be increasing and the audiences decreasing. We all share the same public and, for various reasons, it is difficult to attend every production.

"The situation is not just common to Aireborough but as we often hear, other areas nationally suffer the same problems."

The rising costs at Yeadon Town Hall meant ticket prices could not be kept as low as the society would like.

And members fear the result will be that the societies could in the future have difficulties running productions.

Carol Larkings, chairman of Rawdon AOS, which has been going for more than 75 years, said: "We see it as a very positive move. It was a unanimous decision that was not taken lightly but after 18 months of discussions.

"We have both been striving for the same audiences and are all trying to do the same thing."

Mrs Larkings said the Rawdon group had a good youth membership and the joining of the two groups would mean they would have a very good age range.

"We are looking at it very positively, we will have a wealth of great talent ranging from the very young," she said.

A new name for the blended group has yet to be decided, although both would like to keep their own identities.

In the meantime, productions already planned by the two groups will still go ahead until the merger next year.