A group of singers is fighting back after its collection of costumes was destroyed by rats.

Wantage Stage-Musical Company had to light three bonfires earlier this year to destroy the costumes, some of which had been used since the group was formed almost 30 years ago.

But the company hopes a three-night run this month of popular songs from musicals will help soften the blow by raising money to pay for a production of Carousel next April.

The costumes were stored in a lorry container outside Wantage. But when it was opened in March the group discovered rats had got inside. The outfits had not been used for about a year.

The company's secretary, Angie Rushton, said: "We were devastated. Even some of the wooden items like a rifle and chair legs had been bitten through by the rats.

"It was a great drain on our finances. We're scraping through. This is why we're doing concerts."

Mrs Rushton said the group hoped to raise £1,000 from the forthcoming events, which will feature a selection of popular show tunes.

The shows are at Brightwalton Village Hall, on Wednesday, November 14; Snells Hall, East Hendred, on Friday, November 16, and Wantage Parish Church, in Church Street, on Saturday, November 17. Performances are at 7.30pm.

For more details, call Mrs Rushton on 01235 763187.