A MAGICAL, musical production of a much-loved fairytale was brought to life for Widnes pupils.

The Bookworm Players performed Hansel and Gretel’s Christmas Adventure at Warrington Road nursery school.

The show was extra special for Maria Doyle, who played Gretel, as she herself attended the nursery more than 20 years ago.

Maria, a graduate of the Central School of Speech and Drama, attended the nursery when she was three.

Head teacher Amanda Brown said:“Developing a love of stories and books is an important part of our work at here at Warrington Road.

“Seeing a story come to life in a live theatre production is a great way to engage children in this process”

Since artistic director Jessica May Buxton started the company in 2011, all their shows have children in mind.

Jessica said: “We always have interaction involved, whether this is learning the snowman dance, becoming a tree in the forest, singing with Hansel and Gretel or telling the witch how silly we think she is.”