THE magical tale of Hansel and Gretel is being retold in a special school half term show in Lancaster.

Puppets will bring the age-old story to life on the Ashton Memorial stage from tomorrow (Thursday) to Saturday, with performances starting at 7.15pm.

The show comes courtesy of the well-known Up Front Puppet Theatre Company, which is based at Hutton-in-the-Forest, near Penrith.

Founder John Parkinson was trained at the English National Opera in London but his life-long passion for puppets has led him way from mainstream theatre.

His Up Front Gallery has recently been awarded a Cumbria regeneration grant to create and develop a centre for puppetry and performance in Cumbria - and the visit to Lancaster fulfils a vow to promote puppetry.

The production is fully staged with scenery, on wagons, changing before the audience's eyes as a specially commissioned musical score adds to the atmosphere.

More details and tickets are available from the Pavilion Shop or by calling 01524-33318.