NEVER work with children or animals, so the saying goes...

but Glasgow amateur dramatics association The Lyric Club has thrown that caution to the wind by recruiting more than 60 youngsters and a labrador for its production of hit musical Annie.

"We have turned the old adage on its head," said director Alan Jones before the first performance at the King's Theatre on April 8.

"We have just loved working with children and a nice dog as well.

"I have done shows with a horse and a donkey in the past and in terms of Annie the dog is part of the story."

Annie follows the heartwarming adventures of an 11-year-old orphan who escapes an orphanage and ends up in a millionaire's mansion in the midst of the Great Depression.

Featuring famous songs including Tomorrow and Maybe, it first opened on Broadway in 1977 and has been reworked for the Lyric Club's production running from April 8 to 12.

For the show, the club has recruited two girls to play the lead, as well as two teams of 30 young people who will take to the stage on alternate nights along with the 40-strong adult cast.

Lola will play the friendly stray dog Sandy, which Annie meets during her escape.

First to don the famous orange wig on opening night will be 11-year-old Sara Cartwright, the younger of the two Annies, from Paisley.

The St Peters Primary School pupil, who trains with Johnstone Youth Theatre Club, has loved acting since she was three and did her first show at the age of seven, playing a small role in Summer Holiday.

Inspired by her mum, who is also acting in the production, she decided to take to the stage, playing Gretl last year in a performance of the Sound of Music.

"I always loved Annie the film," she says.

"When I was little I named my baby blanket Sandy so I am really excited about playing Annie on stage."

ASHE goes on: " I like the way everything goes right for her at the end because it was all bad at the start and, even though she doesn't find her parents she does manage to find a new family."

Also playing Annie is Rebecca Morrow, 12, from Johnstone. She has lots of experience in the role, having played orphan Annie already, two years ago.

A first-year pupil at St Benedicts High School in Linwood, Rebecca trains with PACE Theatre in Paisley.

"I love the feeling of acting and performing," says Rebecca, who was also in a performance of Oliver last year.

"I was really excited when I heard I had got the part.

"I don't find it difficult to learn the lines because I have been doing it for so long but I always get nervous.

"My tummy goes all butterflies, I am scared I might forget a line but I have forgotten a line in the past and I covered it up."

The youngest child in the show is just eight years old and Alan said the company enjoys encouraging children to get involved in acting. He said: "Both Annies are wonderful, they are just lovely.

"They have got minds like sponges, they absorb everything and there doesn't appear to be any pressure on them at all.

"We want to encourage more youngsters to take the tradition forward because the phrase they 'will be' our future isn't true - they are the future.

"There are lots of things in amateur theatre for youngsters already.

"But with a company like the Lyric, we are one of the few companies which has a toe in at the King's.

"It is great to give the youngsters an opportunity to perform in a number one theatre."

l Annie is at the Kings Theatre, Glasgow, from Tuesday, April 8 to Saturday, April 12 Tickets are £15.90-£19.90.

For more information visit www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre/