A drama group is hoping for good weather this weekend for their open-air production.

Bloxham Amateur Theatrical Society is presenting an open-air version of Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach at the Red Lion, Bloxham.

The cast of 30 adults and children have been preparing since early July.

But they have already had to brave bad weather while rehearsing last Wednesday and are now praying for sunshine. The first performance is on Thursday, with further shows on Friday and Saturday.

Curtain up is at 8pm each night and admission is free. Programmes will be on sale, and a raffle will help cover costs.

The society was formed in 1985. The Giant Peach will be its 26th production and the fourth at the Red Lion. A pantomime Rumpelstiltskin written by Mick Pearson, is in the pipeline for February next year. Auditions will be in the Court House, Bloxham, on October 14 at 2pm for adults, and on November 4 at 2pm for children aged nine and over.

The panto will be staged at Barford village hall.

The Ex-Serviceman's Hall, Bloxham's community base, is not suitable because there are no facilities for the disabled.