Most of us know the nursery rhyme about Humpty Dumpty and what happened when he sat on a wall.

But how many people know how the story ends – when a wicked witch steals the egg-shaped character's head?

This month, Southwold and Reydon Pantomime Group is telling an entirely different tale about Humpty Dumpty in a performance that will also include music, comedy and a host of larger-than-life characters.

The all-female group will be staging its annual pantomime at St Edmund's Hall in Southwold from Sunday, January 26 to Saturday, February 1 to raise cash for local good causes, while providing plenty of smiles among the audience.

Humpty's troubles begin when he makes the mistake of laughing at the wicked witch Belladonna and she steals his head in retaliation.

But, being an egg, he has only three days before his head will become rotten so, with time running out, he enlists a variety of characters to help him find it.

Comedy is provided by the King, who is armed with plenty of 'I say, I say, I say' jokes. A number of Southwold special guests will also be making cameo appearances in the show, which is written by the members of the pantomime group and produced by Brenda Doy.

The adventure is set to songs, chosen by musical director Tom Horton and performed by Bert McRoberts and Neil Mickleburgh.

The tunes range from children's nursery rhymes and hits from Hairspray and High School Musical to Doris Day and contemporary pop.

The principal performers include Natasha Mickleburgh as Humpty, Dawn Wenda-Harvey as Mother Hen, Kirsty White as the King, Louise Harrison as the Wicked Witch, Theresa Hughes as Wee Willy, Jessica Harvey as Princess Mary and Bethany White as Tom.

Cath Pickles, who this year plays a fisherman and Countess Creme Caramel, said: 'We have really enjoyed putting together the production of Humpty Dumpty.

'It follows on from the success of last year's performance of Dick Whittington and promises to entertain people of all ages, with music, comedy and larger-than-life characters.'

Proceeds from the performances are distributed to local charities every year. Members have yet to decide how all of this year's profits will be spent but beneficiaries have previously included Southwold Lifeboat and Sole Bay Care Fund.

?Matinee performances take place on January 26 and February 1 and start at 2pm. Evening performances are on January 29, 30, 31 and February 1 and start at 7.15pm.

?Tickets, costing £7 for adults and £3 for children, are on sale at Daddy Longlegs in Southwold High Street. Call 01502 724539.

?Ahead of the performances, Mother Hen will be tweeting from her Twitter account @1_MotherHen. She would like to hear from anyone who is attending one of the shows and those who tweet her might get a mention.