A POPULAR fairytale will be brought to life when members of a charity group tread the boards in their 40th annual pantomime in Stourport later this month.

The Monday Night Group will perform Cinderella at the Civic Centre Theatre from Friday, January 27 until Saturday, February 4.

Since becoming a registered charity in 1981, the group has raised more than £250,000 for worthy causes and last year's pantomime, Sinbad, made a profit of £14,460, which was distributed among 85 local groups and charities.

It has taken the group, which was founded in 1967, a year to plan the popular pantomime and 40 members are involved in the production, including the 12 cast members.

The members, who write their own scripts and make their own costumes, props and scenery, will distribute the donations at their annual presentation evening in May.

The Cinderella script has been written by the group's director, Alan Green, and the group's joint-secretary, Jo Rush, said the pantomime would entertain people of all ages.

She added: " This is a good old-fashioned traditional pantomime, with lots of jokes and slapstick humour.

"It should be quite spectacular with the costumes and scenery. There's lots of audience participation.

"We have got two very ugly sisters, the baroness who is quite vile, Buttons, who is madly in love with Cinderella and helps her.

"We've got four debt collectors, who are employed by Prince Charming - as the baron has drank his money away - and the fairy godmother.

Miss Rush added: "We want to give away as much money as we can, hopefully between £17,000 and £19,000.

"Everybody should come and see it. The more tickets we sell, the more money we can give away."

Group members, dressed in costume, will also be helping to pack bags at the Co-op in Lombard Street, Stourport on Saturday to raise money.

There are 12 performances and they start at 7.15pm on January 27, 28, 30 and 31 and on February 1, 2, 3 and 4.

They will also take place at 3pm on January 28, 29 and on February 4 as well as 11am on January 29.

Tickets can be bought from the box office on 01299 825170 after 6pm.

For further information, visit www.mondaynightgroup.org