A GROUP of young thespians are hoping to transform rags to riches with their very own charity production of Cinderella.

Far from waiting for a fairy Godmother to wave her wand, the youngsters have taken matters into their own hands and are producing, acting in and staging the play all by themselves.

The money they have left over following the performances - due to take place this Saturday and Sunday at the Norbury Theatre, Droitwich - will go to St Richard's Hospice, in Worcester.

The 15-strong crew of young actors are all aged between eight and 15, and some of them have acted together before in productions at the Swan Theatre and other venues.

There are a further six youngsters helping out behind the scenes.

The group decided at the beginning of the year to perform a play for charity, and have been rehearsing the comic adaptation, called Cinders, since June.

They have also enlisted the help of their mums to make the costumes and apply their make-up.

Simon Hundley, aged 15, is to be Prince Charming and his cousin, Stacey Hundley, is Cinderella. Both youngsters attend Christopher Whitehead School, in Worcester.

Kim Derby and Jasmine Simmons are the Ugly Sisters, while James Stockall takes the role of Buttons. All three are from Elgar Technology College, in Worcester.

"Simon and I used to do productions together at the Swan Theatre," said James, 14, from Barbourne, whose aunt is very ill with cancer.

"He rang me one day and asked if I would like to play a role in Cinderella and offered me the part of Buttons.

He had two aunts who died of cancer - that's why he chose St Richard's Hospice."

"We need about £200 to level out and everything else will go to the hospice,"

Cinders will be staged on Saturday, November 29, at 7.30pm and Sunday, November 30, at 2.30pm.

Tickets are £5 and can be obtained by calling 01905 795619.