THE director of a Thornbury drama school is retiring after more than 40 years of service.

Lyn Kidd, Principal of the Northavon School of Drama, which performs under the banner of the Northavon Youth Theatre Company (NYTC), is stepping down after 42 years with the group.

She has been performing since the age of three, appearing in almost 50 dance shows, plays, concerts, pantomimes and musicals.

As well as this Lyn has ran the school, producing and directing a number of productions.

Originally formed in 1975 to entertain as a regular feature of Thornbury Arts Festival, in 1982 NYTC became independent.

Having originally helped with fundraising, Lyn became one of the props team, then choreographer and assistant to the director, until finally moving into the top slot.

The group has won 15 awards, with the latest coming at the recent Rose Bowl awards when Freddie Dixon-Lewis won Best Actor in a Youth Production for his portrayal of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables.

This year the National Operatic and Dramatic Association awarded Lyn a gold bar and medal for 50 years’ service to the amateur stage.

Serious health problems have been the major factor in her decision to step down.

Lyn, an English and drama teacher, admitted she will miss all the young people but is extremely proud of everyone she has worked with and said it had been wonderful to follow their progression.

She is now looking forward to a rest and being in the audience as opposed to rushing around the dressing rooms.

Elly McDonald, a fellow drama teacher, will replace Lyn at the drama school

Both ladies picked the next NYTC production, Legally Blonde’which will be perfromed from April 17-20.

Anyone wishing to join the drama school should email nytc@blueyonder.co.uk with their full name, date of birth, address, telephone number, drama, dance or vocal experience and/or any instrumental ability.

For more information visit www.nytc.org.uk.