More than 170 children are auditioning this week for a role in the latest production from Bournemouth’s biggest amateur musical theatre company.

Bournemouth & Boscombe Light Opera Company issued an open invitation for children aged 7 to 15 to audition for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

The company is looking to select two teams of 20 children to perform in live shows at the Pavilion Theatre as part of the Joseph Choir.

An advert was posted on social media in early May, with the decision made not to approach local drama and stage schools directly.

After only a few hours BBLOC received 40 enquiries and by the end of the day it was more than 100.

Applications closed after just a week following an “unprecedented response” with more than 250 children expressing an interest.

The company said children who are not successful at the auditions will receive a free ticket to watch the show so they can hopefully continue their passion for theatre.

Tickets for the show, which will be on at the Pavilion from October 4 to October 7, go on sale through BH Live from Tuesday, May 30.