AWARDS season is officially here and it was an evening of celebration for Ceira Evans, who was recognised for her starring role in Legally Blonde The Musical.

The talented performer was shortlisted for her work as Elle Woods in the Runcorn-based Zodiac Musical Theatre Society show at The Brindley in Runcorn.

The 23 year old fought off fierce competition from six other nominees from other musical theatre societies from National Operatic and Dramatic Association’s District Eight to win Best Leading Female in a Musical category.

The award ceremony at The Mere Golf Resort and Spa in Knutsford celebrates amateur musical theatre talent in one of its districts in the north west.

“I feel so unbelievably grateful to have been given this award,” said Ciera.

“District Eight is one with a lot of talent and a lot of deserving people.

“Everyone in the district elevates the level of ‘amateur’ so that you really feel as though you are watching a West End show.

“I grew up watching Legally Blonde. The film was released when I was six and it was one of my favourite movies so being cast as Elle with The Zodiac was a dream come true and I feel blessed to have worked with such a talented cast.”

The Zodiac was nominated in three other categories at the awards, including Best Ensemble and Best Choreography, and Ciera’s win coincided with the end of the society’s 50th anniversary year.

Chairman Jude Kenyon said: “We are so incredibly proud of Ciera and her win and our nominations are testament to our members’ dedication in bringing the audience shows that we hope have the wow-factor.

“We return to The Brindley in Runcorn to perform our next exciting show, Monty Python’s Spamalot, in March 2019 and hope to return to the NODA awards next year.”

To find out more or to buy tickets visit thebrindley.org.uk.