ERLESTOKE Players believe Charles Dickens would have been chuffed with their melodramatic but humorous rendering of his novel, David Copperfield, as their panto this Christmas.

Village playwright Bill Pidduck came up with his own version of the classic tale, calling it David Copperbottom. It was directed by Joan O'Brien and was on at Erlestoke village hall last weekend.

The cast included James Marshall, James Swadlo, Liz Sharman, Sean Gilbert, Andy Swadlo, Becky Smallman, Rachel Baggs, Susanna Whitby, Alex Foote, Joan O'Brien, Jim Foote, Rosemary Banfield, Martin Grech, Bill Pidduck, Owen O'Brien and Hannah Pidduck.

The stage manager was Peter Griffin, helped by Rachel Baggs, Roger Hampton and Susanna Whitby, lighting was by Shelagh Parrish and piano accompaniment by David Luckett.