Ref. 28584-72NOTORIOUS skinflint Scrooge makes an appearance at the Wyvern Theatre on Friday in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

The show, written, performed and directed by Thames Water staff, is the ninth annual panto staged by the Kembrey Park-based customer services team and their colleagues.

"We are all amateurs," said writer, producer and director Paul Aust. "A lot of the people who get involved aren't really into amateur dramatics, but what we have got is lots of enthusiasm and it is a lot of fun.

"We do have some very talented people in the cast, but we are all just doing it for fun. People always say they have had a great time."

The tradition started when staff got together with the idea of putting on a show to raise money for charity.

After a couple of years playing to packed houses for five nights at New College, they approached the Wyvern because they needed a larger auditorium.

Rehearsals for Scrooge began in August, but the cast only has access to the theatre, which is currently staging its own pantomime, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the day before the first show.

Last year, the show raised about £9,000 for charity and this year the cast is hoping its performances on Friday and Saturday evenings will be just as successful.

This year's nominated charities are Debra, which helps children with a skin disorder, the Downs Syndrome Association and Macmillan Nurses.

A few tickets, costing £7.50, are still available from the Wyvern box office on 01793 524481.