CHILDREN'S television presenter Brian Cant has chosen the Malvern Theatres for the grand finale of his nationwide tour of The Railway Children.

He has been co-directing and starring as the Old Gentleman in Ali Gorton's new adaptation of the classic adventure at venues up and down the country since last November.

From Tuesday 13 to Saturday August 17 Brian, with the Middle Ground Theatre Company, will be performing his last run.

He said: "The production has been very well received, especially by thirty-something mums who remember me from Playaway, and now bring their children to see me.

"The adaptation is as near as possible to the book, with all the excitement and adventure of a gripping modern day thriller.

"There are loads of special effects and over 100 lighting sequences to bring magic to the stage."

Mr Cant, now in his sixties and living in Buckinghamshire, has friends who live near Malvern so he will be bringing his family to stay for a week while the show is on.

When it is finished he will be getting together with his wife and co-producer Cherry Britain to write a pilot show for children for Channel 5. Cherry is famous in her own right as an award-winning writer. She has recently penned and directed films for the Teletubbies, the Tweenies, Beachcomber Bay and bedtime stories for a new website.

Brian's most recent television appearances have been on the Channel 5 children's series Dapple Down Farm, decades after old favourites such as Trumpton and Camberwick Green graced the small screen.

For those who are unfamiliar with the classic tale of the Railway children, the story centres round a group of children whose father mysteriously disappears. They have to leave their comfortable, happy home in London for a small cottage in the country. Desperately missing father and their previous way of life the children seek solace in the nearby railway station, making friends and having numerous adventures.

Using music, dance, and puppetry and capturing the essence of Edwardian England this colourful adaptation promises to be just the ticket for bored children and grown-ups alike during the school holidays.

For tickets, with special family rates of £36 for four, contact the box office on 01684 892277.

7 Coming to Malvern: Brian plays the Old Gentleman in a new adaptation of the children's classic The Railway Children.