PRE-school idols Miss Hoolie, Spencer and Archie the inventor hit the big Brum stage to wild applause and frantic shakes of fibre optic toys.

The hour and 15 minute show was just right for three-year-olds Nicholas and Sam, who sat spellbound as the energetic cast burst into familiar songs from the hit BBC TV programme.

Catchy tunes frequently punctuated the simple plot, which centred on nervous PC Plum and well-travelled bus driver Edie McCredie zooming into outer space on a home-made rocket.

There was plenty of audience participation too, with scores of hyped-up little ones shaking their heads, waving their arms and stamping their feet to order.

However, it would have been nice if a few children had been invited to join their heroes on stage, panto style, at some point during the proceedings.

If you missed this show, the Tweenies, Postman Pat and bashful penguin Pingu are among the stars of Cbeebies Live at the same venue on December 27 and 28.

TP