Villagers reckon they're too busy to stage a pantomime at Christmas - so they're having it in June, instead.

A 26-strong cast aged from four to 70 will be taking to the stage at the village school tonight, Saturday and Sunday.

Retired university lecturer Terry Allen, who wrote the Flitcham Fantasia, as the show is called, said: 'We thought it would be easier to rehearse in the in the summer.

'Christmas is a generally hectic time and having to trudge through the dark to rehearsals isn't fun.'

Flitcham Fantasia is the first panto to be performed on the village, on the edge of the Royal Estate, for seven years.

'It starts off as a play on Hansel and Gretel and develops from that quickly into set pieces,' said Mr Allen.

The two child leads Joanna, played by Capreece Simpson, and Louisa, played by Loretta Burrell, are frightened by a witch when lost in the woods and later encounter nursery rhyme characters, a mouse and a crew of singing pirates.

Mr Allen's wife Susan, vice-chair of the parish council, said the show is sold out on Sunday but some seats are left for Friday and Saturday.

'We've got people coming from London, Cambridge, Northampton and Bedford,' she said.

Proceeds from ticket sales will be going to UNICEF, while proceeds from refreshments will be going to Flitcham Church.

Performances tonight and tomorrow are at 7.15pm. Sunday's performance is at 3pm.

Tickets are �5 adult, �2 for those aged 13-18, under-12s free.

To book, call 01485 600729.