SISTERS Jenny and Alison Begley have stepped into the breach to save the Woolstore Theatre's latest production.

The Merry Gentleman, which opens at the theatre in Codford on Wednesday, was hit by disaster when one of its leading ladies, Charlie Sides, suffered a burst appendix.

But 17-year-old Jenny offered to learn the part, and is now playing Charlie's role in the musical while Alison, 14, has taken her role.

The girls, whose mum is local vicar the Rev Helen Begley, have acted before, but director Karen Johnstone has been delighted at the speed with which they have learned the roles.

Mrs Johnstone said: "Charlie was working so hard. For this to happen at the last moment must be heartbreaking. But Jenny has been absolutely superb. She has worked her socks off."