A WELSH voice coach has been drafted in to ensure the cast of a Dylan Thomas play get the lilting accent spot on.

Burley Millennium Theatre Group had a record number of budding thespians rushing to sign themselves up for a production of radio play Under the Milkwood.

Sticklers for authenticity, the cast are now busy perfecting the tones of the valleys. However, some of the cast have an instant advantage - they are native Welsh people.

The accent of the famous radio play will remain firmly on dialect as director Angus MacIntosh is a north-east born Scotsman.

Under the Milkwood will be staged as a play for voices in a studio setting with live music and sound effects. There will also be an on-going visual presentation of slides featuring well known Yorkshire venues and views.

The play will be performed on April 5, 6 and 7 at the Queen's Hall, in Burley-in-Wharfedale. Tickets are available at the Corner Shop, Main Street, Burley.

And theatre group member Digby Singleton said the thespians were having no trouble getting to grips with the accent.

"It seems to be going very well. There are a number of people who are Welsh anyway," he said. "There have been no problems at all so far, but having one of the group acting as a Welsh voice coach has real helped."

The play is also something of a family affair with a father and son taking part and two pairs of mothers and daughters.

A cast of 27 will play the 69 parts in the play.